Kutch, Gujarat: In the early hours of Thursday, residents of Kutch district were startled as three tremors of an earthquake were felt at approximately 3:54 a.m. The tremors, which registered a magnitude of 4.0 on the Richter scale, had their epicenter located about 47 kilometers northeast of Khavda, a sparsely populated region in the district known for its seismic activity.
According to initial reports from local authorities and the Gandhinagar-based Institute of Seismological Research (ISR), no immediate casualties or damage have been reported. However, residents living near the epicenter described the tremors as sudden and brief, lasting only a few seconds but strong enough to cause concern.
This latest quake follows a pattern of seismic activity in the region. On September 23, Kutch experienced a tremor measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale, with its epicenter 12 kilometers west-southwest of Rapar, another area prone to earthquakes. The ISR has confirmed that this is the fourth earthquake with a magnitude above 3.0 to strike the Saurashtra-Kutch region this month alone, raising concerns about the frequency of such events.
Despite the recurring tremors, experts reassure that these moderate-level earthquakes are typical for the region, which lies in a seismically active zone. Local authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and urge residents to remain calm but vigilant.
As the region braces for potential aftershocks, Kutch’s history of seismic vulnerability, most notably the devastating 2001 earthquake, serves as a reminder of the need for preparedness in the event of a stronger quake. For now, the district breathes a sigh of relief with no significant damage reported.
