On Saturday, 5.0 on the Richter scale earthquake hit Himachal Pradesh as a fairly moderate earthquake occurred in that area. The tremors have been felt in many other states in Northern India, alarming citizens there. Including Himachal Pradesh, the earthquake’s tremors were also felt in many areas of North India, leading to many individuals leaving their homes and places of employment in fear.
Moderate Earthquake Strikes Himachal Pradesh
The tremors were felt for an estimated interval of a few (but not much more than a few) seconds long, with sufficient strength to cause people living in rural areas or people living in urban/suburban areas.
Many individuals felt furniture move as well as the windows of their homes or buildings rattling during that short period of time. A significant number of people reported experiencing some degree of swaying motion inside of the buildings.
Tremors were felt through Northern Regions of India
Many individuals also reported feeling tremors when they were living in other areas outside of Himachal Pradesh; e.g., Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi Area, Jammu, JK.
Many residents from many of the cities in these provinces utilized social media immediately following the earthquake to communicate with their friends, family, or constituents and continued updating their friends, family, or constituents for an extended time period after the earthquake.
In many multi-storey apartment buildings, as well as several high-rise office buildings, residents and workers who vacated the building subsequently congregated outside in an open area. While the length of the tremors was very brief, residents of all of these areas were extremely anxious and fearful of earthquakes, particularly in consideration of previous earthquakes that have occurred in those areas. In reaction to the earthquake, authorities in many of the areas immediately began to respond.
Must read:
- Nagaland Imposes Statewide Ban on Tobacco and Nicotine Products
- Government takes action against CBSE Chairman and secretary transferred
- El Nino to hit India this monsoon -Raising Concerns Over
No Immediate Reports of Major Damage
According to early indications, there were no significant structural damages or deaths at this time. Monitoring by local authorities will continue to assess the effects of all locations affected by the earthquake, to ensure there are no unreported accidents related to the earthquake.
Managing officials were reported to have been communicating with their respective district representatives as well as local emergency agencies and gathering information from various locations. Residents were advised to remain calm and report any visible structural damages (to either private structures such as buildings or public structures such as roadways or utility service infrastructure), which, if unreported or unobserved, could pose safety concerns.
After tremors ended, many residents began returning to their normal activities (within their communities). However, people continued to be cautious and vigilant for possible aftershocks.
Residents Recall Moments of Panic
Some residents described brief periods of extreme anxiety while experiencing the tremors directly. Across the State of Himachal Pradesh, there were numerous accounts of individuals escaping to the outdoors for safety reasons and relatives looking for each other immediately upon feeling the ground shake.
For a number of individuals who were inside businesses or shops at the time of the tremors, it was common for them to go outside until the situation returned to normal and stabilized.
In addition to commercial businesses and shops, as per standard dogmatic procedures, most educational facilities and most office capital were in compliance with their respective emergency action plans by keeping people in place until cessation of all tremor activity.
Seismically Active Region
The geologically active region of Himachal Pradesh has been subjected to many earthquakes, as this is a highly unstable area on account of being located on the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Seismic activity continues in this area as these plates continue to converge, causing geologic strain or stress within the earth’s crust.
Some earthquakes in this area have been minor and cause little or no damage, while the stronger earthquakes experienced throughout the region have resulted in widespread destruction and adversely affected many communities.
Seismologists are continually monitoring the seismic activity across the globe, and specifically in the greater Himalayan region, to provide a means for identifying patterns and establishing better means for people in these regions to be prepared for future earthquakes.
Authorities Urge Preparedness
Earlier this week, disaster management officials reminded the public to become aware of how to be prepared in the event of an earthquake. Local officials reminded residents to familiarize themselves with the processes and procedures necessary to respond to emergencies.
Among other recommendations, the experts recommend that people take cover (by dropping, covering, and holding onto) when an earthquake occurs. Individuals should take refuge in a safe place (e.g., under a sturdy piece of furniture), protect their heads and necks, and avoid windows, glass panels, and large objects that may fall.
Authorities also highlighted the importance of families having emergency supplies kits including at least water, food, medicine, flashlight, and important documents.
Aftershocks Are Being Monitored
Seismologists are monitoring the region for aftershocks that may occur following the earthquake. Aftershocks usually occur after moderate earthquakes; however, their strength and frequency are unpredictable.
Residents are encouraged to stay calm, but remain mindful of their surroundings and rely on the information released by reputable agencies. Authorities have stressed reporting any rumours and following updates from the disaster management agencies.
Officials remain focused on public safety while assessing the impact of the earthquake on infrastructure. While residents and officials were relieved about the lack of any major damage reported as a result of this 5.0 earthquake that struck northern India, it also serves as a reminder to be prepared for an earthquake and that this region is susceptible to these types of events.
