Hours after a powerful but low-magnitude earthquake shook Delhi, the central government on Monday issued a warning to residents and those in the surrounding districts about the possibility of an “aftershock.”
The Union Minister of Earth Sciences, Dr.Jitendra Singh, urged Delhi residents to maintain their composure and take safety measures and prepare for the aftershocks.
He said on X, “It is advised to stay calm and, exercise safety precautions and preparedness for possible aftershocks, if any. Meanwhile, regular updates are being shared by the department through its different communication channels and social media handles.”
He added that the authorities are keeping a close watch after the earthquake tremors that were felt in and around Delhi this morning at approximately 5:36 AM. Professional experts and officials from the Ministry of Earth Sciences are continuously monitoring the situation.
Nonetheless, it is recommended to maintain composure, take safety measures, and be ready for any potential aftershocks.
The National Center for Seismology (NCS) reports that the earthquake, which had a Richter scale magnitude of 4.0, struck Delhi-NCR early on Monday at a depth of 5 kilometers.
It was 5:36 AM when the severe tremors were felt. Residents fled their homes in fright as a result of the unexpected shocks. The tremors seemed more intense than those of an earthquake of magnitude four since the epicentre was in Delhi.
“Earthquake of Magnitude:4.0, Occurred on 17-02-24, 5:36 AM IST, Lat: 28.59°N & Long :77.16°E, Depth: 5 Km, Location: 9km E of New Delhi,” the NCS said in a post on social media.
Residents of Delhi and the neighboring areas were asked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to maintain composure and adhere to safety procedures.
