Key Points:
- Delhi-NCR Tremors: A 5.0 magnitude earthquake centered in Nepal caused strong tremors in Delhi-NCR on April 4, 2025, at 7:52 PM.
- Epicenter Details: The quake’s epicenter was located at 28.83°N, 82.06°E, with a depth of 20 kilometers.
- Myanmar Devastation: A massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar on March 28 has left over 2,700 dead and thousands injured, with relief efforts ongoing.
New Delhi: Residents of Delhi-NCR experienced strong tremors on Friday evening as a 5.0 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal. The quake occurred at 7:52 PM local time, with its epicenter pinpointed at coordinates 28.83°N and 82.06°E, at a depth of 20 kilometers. The National Centre for Seismology confirmed the seismic activity, which was felt across northern India, including Noida and Gurugram.
While no immediate reports of damage or casualties have emerged from the Delhi-NCR region, the tremors caused widespread alarm among residents. This event comes as the region remains on edge following recent seismic activity in neighboring countries.
Myanmar’s Catastrophic Earthquake
Just days earlier, Myanmar suffered one of its most devastating earthquakes in over a century. On March 28, a powerful 7.7 magnitude quake struck near Mandalay in the Sagaing region, leaving a trail of destruction. The earthquake was followed by a strong aftershock measuring 6.4 magnitude.
Impact in Numbers:
- Death toll: Over 2,700 confirmed fatalities (as of April 4), with more bodies being recovered daily.
- Injuries: Thousands reported injured.
- Infrastructure: Extensive damage to buildings, roads, bridges, and historic sites.
The epicenter near Mandalay caused severe damage to key infrastructure, including the collapse of the Ava Bridge and numerous temples and monasteries. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, with survivors forced to live outdoors due to ongoing aftershocks and unsafe structures.
Challenges in Relief Efforts
Myanmar’s rescue operations face significant hurdles due to damaged infrastructure and communication breakdowns. Key bridges over the Irrawaddy River have collapsed, isolating affected areas. The ongoing civil conflict within Myanmar has further complicated relief efforts.
Survivors are grappling with limited access to food, water, and medical care. Reports from Sagaing describe mass graves being dug as rescuers struggle to manage the overwhelming number of casualties.
Regional Seismic Activity
The recent earthquakes highlight the seismic vulnerability of South Asia:
- Nepal’s quake follows closely on the heels of Myanmar’s disaster.
- On April 1, Myanmar experienced additional aftershocks measuring up to 4.7 magnitude.
- Other regions like Japan have also reported significant seismic events recently.
Experts warn that these events underscore the need for enhanced disaster preparedness across the region.
Friday’s earthquake in Nepal serves as a stark reminder of the region’s seismic activity while Myanmar continues to reel from its catastrophic disaster. As relief operations persist in Myanmar under challenging conditions, neighboring countries must remain vigilant against potential aftershocks and future quakes.
