Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand experienced two low-intensity earthquakes on Friday morning, underscoring the region’s persistent seismic activity. According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the quakes measured 2.7 and 3.5 on the Richter scale, with no reports of damage or casualties as of the time of reporting.
Event Details
The first tremor, measuring 2.7, occurred at 7:41 am at a depth of 5 km beneath the Earth’s surface. The epicentre was near Tiloth, with tremors felt in the district headquarters and Bhatwadi tehsil, officials reported.
The second quake, slightly stronger at 3.5, struck at 8:19 am, also at a depth of 5 km, and was centred in the Dayara Bugyal forest area of Bhatwadi tehsil.
This seismic activity comes shortly after a 5.1 magnitude earthquake was recorded near the Myanmar-Manipur border earlier on Friday at 12:53 am. The epicentre of that earthquake was in Homalin town, located in Myanmar’s Hkamti district within the Northern Sagaing division, according to the Seismological Observatory at Manipur University.
Uttarakhand: A Seismically Active Region
Uttarakhand falls under zones IV and V of India’s earthquake zonation map, making it one of the most seismically active regions in the country. Districts such as Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Rudraprayag, among others, are in Zone V, the highest-risk category.
A History of Quakes in Uttarkashi
Uttarkashi has a long history of frequent earthquakes:
- 2024:
- May 7: Magnitude 2.6
- January 18: Magnitudes 2.8 and 2.7
- 2023:
- October 5: Magnitude 3.2
- September 11: Magnitude 2.9
- August 29: Magnitudes 2.8 and 2.5, affecting both Uttarkashi and Bageshwar.
1991: The region witnessed the Garhwal earthquake, one of the most devastating in its history, with a magnitude of 6.8.
Why Uttarakhand is Prone to Earthquakes
The Himalayan region, geologically active and still rising at approximately 5 mm per year, owes its seismic activity to the tectonic collision between the Indian and Tibetan plates. This ongoing geological movement places much of Uttarakhand under constant seismic threat, particularly areas within zones IV and V.
Preparedness and Resilience
With frequent tremors highlighting the region’s vulnerability, experts emphasize the need for seismic-resistant infrastructure and public awareness to mitigate potential risks. While the recent quakes caused no harm, they serve as a reminder of Uttarakhand’s precarious position in India’s seismic landscape.
