Earthquake: Strong Tremors Felt in Delhi, NDRF Put on High Alert

The epicentre of the earthquake was in the Rudraprayag area of Uttarakhand. (Photo: The Quint)

An earthquake, measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale, shook residents of Delhi and north India on Monday night, creating panic and causing office workers to evacuate buildings, the IMD said. There were no reports of any casualties or any damage yet.

According to the preliminary IMD report, the quake, classified as moderate, occurred at 10:33 pm at a point 30.5 degree North latitude 79.1 degrees East longitude in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district. Its depth was 33 km.

Tremors were felt in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand as well.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the situation of the earthquake and prayed for everyone's safety and well-being.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh sought a detailed report, while the National Disaster Response Force has been put on high alert.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted saying:

(Photo: ANI)

Private forecaster Skymet Weather Services Private Limited Director Mahesh Palawat said that aftershocks could be expected.

Aftershocks may recur tomorrow (Tuesday) as well, but will be of very low intensity. These aftershocks will be strong in the areas close to the epicentre in Uttarakhand. Mild aftershocks may be felt tonight as well.

Mahesh Palawat

The last major quake in the region was a 4.2 tremor epicentered in Haryana on 17 November last year, while nearly 10 people were killed in a 6.8 Richter scale quake on the India-Myanmar border on 4 January, 2016.

Video Editor: Mohd Ibrahim

(With inputs from IANS)