Earthquake of magnitude 3.5 strikes East Delhi, neighbouring areas

NEW DELHI: A mild earthquake measuring 3.5 on the richter scale hit Delhi and neighbouring areas around 5:45pm on Sunday.

The tremors lasted for 25 to 30 seconds.

Officials from the Department of Disaster Management Authority in Delhi said there were no immediate reports of any damage.


The earthquake, which occurred at a depth of 8 km, was categorised in the "yellow, slight" level, according to Ajay Kumar, officer on duty at the National Centre for Seismology (NCS).

"The earthquake was unexpected, there were no signs of it coming," said Kumar, adding he can not say if it will be followed by another set of tremors. "We will be closely monitoring the situation over the next 12 hours to assess the situation," Kumar said.

The epicentre of the earthquake was reported near Sonia Vihar in north-east Delhi, about 16 km from the NCS head office at Lodhi Road, said M Rajeevan, secretary, ministry of earth sciences.