A moderate-intensity earthquake, measuring 3.7 on the Richter scale, struck Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district on Sunday morning, triggering brief panic among residents. The tremors were felt at 8:42 am, but no reports of casualties or damage to property have surfaced so far, the officials confirmed.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the epicenter was located at 31.48° latitude and 76.95° longitude near Kiargi in Sundernagar, at a depth of seven kilometers. The tremors, though mild, were noticeable in several parts of the district, prompting some residents to rush out of their homes.
Himachal Pradesh, particularly Mandi district, falls under Seismic Zone 5, the category most vulnerable to earthquakes. Given the region's history of seismic activity, Sunday’s tremor serves as a stark reminder of the earthquake risk in the Himalayan belt.
Eyewitnesses described feeling a sudden jolt, followed by mild vibrations. “I was in my kitchen when I felt the ground shake slightly. It lasted only a few seconds, but it was enough to cause concern,” said a resident of Sundernagar.
With Mandi’s location in a high-risk seismic zone, experts continue to stress the importance of earthquake-resistant infrastructure to mitigate potential damage in the future.
