Earthquake Tremors Shake Chandigarh Tricity and North India as 5.9-Magnitude Quake Strikes Hindu Kush Region

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A sense of alarm swept across Chandigarh and the surrounding tricity region on Friday night when strong earthquake tremors jolted homes, offices and high-rise residential towers, sending hundreds of residents rushing outdoors in fear.

The earthquake, which struck at approximately 9:46 pm IST, measured 5.9 on the Richter scale and originated in the seismically active Hindu Kush region near the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border. Although the epicentre was located far from India, the quake’s depth and geological characteristics allowed the tremors to travel across vast distances, making them clearly perceptible across several parts of North India.

In Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula, residents reported feeling buildings sway for several seconds. Many people living in multi-storey apartment complexes immediately evacuated their homes and gathered in open spaces, parking areas and community grounds as a precaution. Videos and eyewitness accounts shared on social media showed anxious residents standing outside residential societies while security personnel and local authorities monitored the situation.

The tremors were not limited to the tricity region. Reports of shaking also emerged from several cities across northern India, including Noida, Ludhiana, Dehradun, Srinagar, Udhampur and Poonch. In many locations, ceiling fans oscillated noticeably, light fixtures swayed and household items rattled, prompting residents to seek safety outdoors.

According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the earthquake’s epicentre was located at coordinates 36.52 degrees North latitude and 71.01 degrees East longitude in the Hindu Kush mountain range. The quake occurred at a focal depth of approximately 75 kilometres beneath the Earth’s surface.

Experts explained that the considerable depth of the earthquake played a crucial role in the widespread reach of the tremors. Deep-focus earthquakes often transmit seismic energy across large geographical areas, allowing shaking to be felt hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away from the epicentre. While such earthquakes can cause noticeable tremors over a vast region, they generally result in less severe surface damage near the source compared to shallow earthquakes of similar magnitude.

Despite the panic caused by the sudden shaking, authorities confirmed that no casualties or significant structural damage had been reported from Chandigarh, Mohali or Panchkula till late Friday night. Emergency response teams remained on alert, and local administrations continued to monitor the situation closely in case of any aftershocks.

Residents who experienced the tremors described moments of uncertainty as furniture vibrated and buildings appeared to move. For many living in high-rise towers, the sensation was particularly intense, leading families to quickly descend staircases and move to open areas. Several housing societies activated emergency protocols while resident welfare associations advised people to remain calm and follow standard earthquake safety guidelines.

The Hindu Kush region is widely regarded as one of the most earthquake-prone zones in the world. Situated along the boundary where the Indian Plate pushes beneath the Eurasian Plate, the area experiences frequent seismic activity due to immense tectonic pressures. A complex network of geological fault systems, including the Herat Fault, Chaman Fault, Main Pamir Thrust and the Paghman Fault west of Kabul, contributes to recurring earthquakes in the region.

Scientists have long noted that earthquakes originating in the Hindu Kush often impact large parts of South and Central Asia because of their depth and the unique geological structure of the region. North India, particularly states in the Himalayan foothills and the Indo-Gangetic plains, frequently experiences tremors from major seismic events occurring in Afghanistan.

Friday night’s earthquake marked another reminder of the interconnected seismic risks faced by countries across the region. It was also the second time this year that earthquake tremors originating in the Afghan Hindu Kush were felt across parts of northern India.

Authorities have urged residents not to panic in the event of any subsequent tremors and to follow safety measures such as avoiding elevators during earthquakes, moving to open spaces whenever possible and remaining informed through official government advisories. While the immediate threat appeared to have passed by late evening, the incident once again highlighted the importance of earthquake preparedness in a region that regularly feels the effects of distant but powerful seismic events.