On 21st March 2023, Tuesday, a massive 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan, sending tremors across many parts of India, such as Delhi, Noida, and the surrounding areas of the national capital. At a depth of 184 km (114 miles), the seismic event was felt by many in the region, but so far, there has been no report of any loss or destruction.
Residents of Noida’s Sector 22 told ANI that many rushed out of their buildings after feeling strong tremors. Tremors were reported in various parts of India, including Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh.
Geological experts have claimed that the earthquake occurred as the Indo-Australian plate collided with the Eurasian plate. J L Gautam, head of the office and Scientist at the National Center for Seismology, explained that the depth of the fault is over 150 km which is why people in northwest India and Delhi felt the tremors for a relatively long time. He also noted that aftershocks are likely, though they cannot be forecast.
The epicenter of the earthquake is believed to be 90 km from Kalafgan in Afghanistan, and tremors were reported in other countries in the region, such as Turkmenistan, India, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, China, Afghanistan, and Kyrgyzstan. In Pakistan, people were heard reciting the Koran as they ran out of their homes in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and other cities.
