Strong Tremors Felt in Chandigarh and Delhi-NCR Following 6.2 Magnitude Quake in Afghanistan

Earthquake tremors were felt across Chandigarh and adjoining areas of Punjab and Haryana on Saturday evening, prompting panicked residents to rush out of their homes and offices as a precautionary measure.

According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the earthquake struck at 7:08 PM and recorded a magnitude of 6.2 on the Richter scale. The epicenter of the earthquake was located in Afghanistan, originating at a depth of 215 kilometers beneath the earth's surface.

Areas Affected The ripples of the Afghan earthquake were felt widely across North India. Apart from Chandigarh, significant tremors were reported in:

• Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR)

• Panchkula (Haryana)

• Mohali and Gurdaspur (Punjab)

No Casualties or Damage Reported Despite the widespread panic, there have been no immediate reports of casualties or property damage from any of the affected regions. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation.

The Science: Why Do Earthquakes Happen? The Earth's surface consists of seven major and several minor tectonic plates. These plates are in a state of constant motion and sometimes collide with one another. When they collide, the edges of the plates can bend. When the pressure becomes too immense, these plates break, releasing trapped underground energy. This energy violently pushes outwards to the surface, resulting in the disturbances we feel as earthquakes.