A high-intensity quake measuring around 5 on the Richter scale shook the national Capital and adjoining areas on Saturday causing people to rush out of their offices and homes and leading to restriction of Metro services. However, no loss of life or property was reported in any part of Delhi and the NCR except for minor hairline cracks in some buildings. As soon as the tremors were felt, especially in the highrise buildings in Delhi, people frantically rushed out.
Aftershocks of the earthquake that rocked Nepal and parts of North India shook Delhi and the NCR twice around noon on Saturday, causing panic among the people who rushed out of their houses and offices and headed to parks, roads and open spaces for safety.
According to the meteorological office, tremors were felt in Delhi twice, first at 11.45 am and later at 12.18 pm. The Delhi Metro on Saturday stopped train services twice following the massive earthquake. The first tremors were felt at 11.45 am and trains were stopped from 11.45 am to 11.52 am. The second tremors were felt at 12.18 pm and trains were stopped from 12.18 pm to 12.23 pm. The DMRC claimed that so far they have not received any reports of damage or crack in the metro line. "We will carry out inspection to check if the earthquake caused any damage to the property, the official said.
Delhi lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung called a high level meeting with officials of Delhi Government to take stock of the preparedness in the wake of the earthquake. At the meeting, MCD Commissioners informed the l-G that minor hairline cracks were seen in three buildings in the East district, two in the South district and one in the North district. All the sites were visited and cracks were assessed.
There has been no significant damage to any structure or building and there is no cause for concern. The Secretary (PWD) informed that post the quake, all the flyovers were visited and no damage was detected. Delhi Police and Fire Department officials also said that they have not received any complaints of damage or casualties.
According to District Magistrates of 11 districts, all emergency support functionaries including police, civic agencies, hospitals and fire services have been alerted. Delhi Disaster Management Authority and Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) have been put on alert. Civil defense volunteers have been alerted and instructed to do patrolling in their areas, the official said. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealed to the people to maintain calm. "Earthquake tremors in Delhi. I appeal to people to maintain calm. Officials out in the field to assess the situation," he said on micro-blogging site Twitter.