6.1 Magnitude Earthquake in Afghanistan Triggers Tremors in Delhi and Northern India

6.1 Magnitude Earthquake in Afghanistan Triggers Tremors in Delhi and Northern India

Delhi and parts of northern India experienced mild shaking this afternoon due to a 6.1 magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan. The tremors were also felt in Pakistan.

The National Center for Seismology reported a 6.1 magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan on January 11, 2024, at 2:50:24 PM IST. The quake's location was at 36.48 latitude, 70.45 longitude, with a depth of 220 km.

Earthquake of Magnitude:6.1, Occurred on 11-01-2024, 14:50:24 IST, Lat: 36.48 & Long: 70.45, Depth: 220 Km ,Location: Afghanistan for more information Download the BhooKamp App https://t.co/fN2hpmK3jO @KirenRijiju @Ravi_MoES @Dr_Mishra1966 @ndmaindia @Indiametdept pic.twitter.com/q5pkBVscsW
— National Center for Seismology (@NCS_Earthquake) January 11, 2024

The earthquake's epicenter was located 241 kilometers northeast of Kabul.

No injuries or damage were immediately reported. The tremors caused panic among people, with many in the national capital and surrounding areas noticing furniture shaking.

Houses in rural Afghanistan are usually constructed with mud and supported by wooden poles. They often lack strong materials like steel or concrete. Extended families, spanning multiple generations, typically live together in the same house. This setup means that severe earthquakes can cause significant devastation to these communities.

Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region are in a seismic zone known as Zone IV, making them prone to earthquakes. To enhance disaster readiness, the Delhi government is thinking about creating its own State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and establishing a control room with staff from various agencies. This move aims to better prepare the national capital for potential disasters.

In December, the Revenue Minister, Atishi, got a suggestion from her department to form a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team. This comes in response to the national capital experiencing frequent tremors and facing significant floods in certain areas last year.