Mon Feb 17 03:56:03 UTC 2025: ## Strong Earthquake Shakes Delhi, Panics Residents

**New Delhi, India** – A magnitude 4.0 earthquake struck Delhi early this morning, sending tremors across north India and triggering widespread panic. Residents reported feeling the strongest earthquake in their memory, causing many to evacuate their homes and high-rise buildings in neighboring cities like Noida and Ghaziabad.

The epicenter was located near Durgabhai Deshmukh College of Special Education in Dhaula Kuan, Delhi, at a depth of approximately 5 km, according to the National Centre of Seismology. Reports describe widespread panic, with people describing buildings shaking violently and one railway passenger believing a train was running underground.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a statement urging calm and advising residents to remain vigilant for potential aftershocks. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation.

While unsettling, earthquakes of this magnitude are not uncommon in Delhi due to its location in Seismic Zone 4, an area with a high risk of seismic activity. The city has experienced several tremors exceeding 3.0 magnitude in the past, including at least three in 2020. Historical records indicate at least five earthquakes above 5.5 magnitude have hit Delhi since 1720.

The seismic activity in the region stems from the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, a geological process that causes the build-up and release of energy resulting in earthquakes. A National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) analysis highlights further risks posed by the high density of non-earthquake-resilient buildings, high population density, and unsafe structures within Delhi.

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