New Delhi: Two moderate earthquakes struck different parts of India early Monday, triggering brief panic among residents in the Kashmir Valley and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, though no injuries or damage were reported.
In the north, an earthquake measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale hit the Kashmir Valley at around 5.35 am. Data from the National Centre for Seismology showed that the tremor occurred at a shallow depth of 10 km, with its epicentre in the Pattan area of Baramulla district, about 10 km northeast of Gulmarg.
The tremors were reportedly felt for nearly 20 seconds, prompting residents in Pattan and nearby areas to rush out of their homes as a precaution. Authorities later confirmed that there were no reports of casualties or structural damage. The quake’s magnitude was initially estimated at 4.6 before being revised to 4.7 after further analysis.
The Kashmir region lies along the seismically active Himalayan belt and has a long history of strong earthquakes. Much of the valley falls within high-risk seismic zones, and the area has witnessed devastating tremors in the past, including the 2005 earthquake that caused widespread destruction on both sides of the Line of Control.
Several hours earlier, a separate earthquake of magnitude 4.6 was recorded in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands at about 3.30 am. According to the National Centre for Seismology, the quake struck at a depth of 10 km, with coordinates placing it near the Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. The tremor was reportedly felt in parts of the island chain, but officials said there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are among the most seismically active regions in the country and fall under Seismic Zone V, the highest risk category in India’s seismic zoning map. The region has experienced several major earthquakes in the past, most notably the 2004 undersea quake that triggered a devastating tsunami across the Indian Ocean.
Experts note that shallow earthquakes, such as both of Monday’s events, can cause stronger ground shaking near the surface. However, the moderate magnitude of these tremors helped limit their impact, allowing authorities to rule out serious consequences in both regions
