Mon Feb 17 04:13:39 UTC 2025: ## Strong Earthquake Shakes Delhi, Sending Residents into Panic

**New Delhi, India –** A magnitude 4.0 earthquake struck Delhi early this morning, causing widespread panic and prompting evacuations across the national capital and surrounding areas including Noida and Ghaziabad. The tremors, felt as far as neighboring states, were described by many residents as the strongest they had ever experienced. The National Centre of Seismology pinpointed the epicenter near Durgabhai Deshmukh College of Special Education in Dhaula Kuan, at a depth of approximately 5 kilometers.

Reports from across the region detail scenes of widespread alarm. Residents rushed out of buildings, while those in high-rises were forced to evacuate. A passenger at a railway station described the sensation as feeling like an underground train.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation, urging calm and advising citizens to remain vigilant for potential aftershocks. He assured the public that authorities are closely monitoring the situation.

While the earthquake caused significant alarm, Delhi’s location in Seismic Zone 4 makes such tremors relatively common. The city has experienced several earthquakes exceeding magnitude 3.0 in recent years, including at least three in 2020. Historical records indicate at least five earthquakes above magnitude 5.5 have hit Delhi since 1720. The collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates in the Himalayan region is the primary cause of seismic activity in the area.

Concerns remain regarding the vulnerability of Delhi’s infrastructure. A National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) report highlights significant risks associated with the high density of non-earthquake resilient buildings, high population density, and unplanned structures.

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