SRINAGAR: A strong earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale struck the Hindu Kush region near the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border on Friday night, sending tremors across several parts of North India, including Chandigarh and the tricity region.
According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the earthquake occurred at around 9:46 PM IST. The epicentre was located in the Hindu Kush region at latitude 36.52° North and longitude 71.01° East, with a focal depth of 75 kilometres.
The tremors were felt in Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula, prompting residents, especially those living in high-rise buildings and multi-storey residential complexes, to rush outdoors as a precautionary measure.
Experts said the considerable depth of the earthquake allowed the seismic waves to travel across a wide geographical area, making the tremors noticeable in several northern states despite the epicentre being hundreds of kilometres away.
Authorities confirmed that there were no immediate reports of casualties or property damage in Chandigarh or surrounding areas. Disaster management agencies remained on alert while officials continued to monitor the situation.
Mild to moderate tremors were also reported from other parts of North India. However, no major disruption or structural damage had been reported till the filing of this report.
The NCS advised citizens to remain calm during seismic events and follow safety guidelines, including moving to open spaces, staying away from buildings and power lines, and avoiding the use of elevators during tremors.
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