Low-intensity earthquake tremors were felt in parts of Uttar Pradesh this morning at around 9a.m and people were left in panic and seen rushing out to the open. Among other locations, Agra, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida), and Sambhal also had tremors.
Tremors Felt Across Many Cities
The National Center for Seismology reports that its center was in Jhajjar, Haryana. Although it had a Richter scale magnitude of 4.4, the earthquake had a visible impact across regions of western Uttar Pradesh. Though the intensity remained low, residents in Agra, Ghaziabad, Sambhal and Gautam Buddh Nagar(Noida ) claimed the ground to be shaking.
Sambhal Residents First to Notice
Sambhal news reports that tremors were felt at around 9:07 a.m. Although the earthquake itself was short-lived, the duration of it being a few seconds was just enough to strike fear. In some shops and houses, individuals experienced doors and windows shaking slightly, prompting most individuals to evacuate from buildings in terror and confusion.
Most experienced the short jolt inside. Some at first did not perceive it as anything other and wrote it off as just gusts of air or vehicles passing by, but the window and door slightly shaking at the same moment led them to wonder if something was wrong. The people stepped outside to see what was going on to ensure all was right.
No Major Damage Reported
While the tremors were felt distinctly in various places, primarily on top floors of high-rise buildings, there have been no reports of injuries or damage to property till now.
Other than Agra and Sambhal, Meerut and Baghpat districts also experienced tremors. However, since the intensity was very light and only for a few seconds, the majority of the residents did not even get a sensation of the quake.
People Remain Alert But Calm
Although the shaking was not very intense and lasted for a short while, the suddenness of the quake rekindled fright in most. Without warning and without any visible clue, the majority of people went back to their ordinary lives within hours of the tremor.
Government officials have assured that there’s no current threat and have told citizens to remain calm but alert and vigilant to safety measures in the event of any seismic activity happening in the future.