An earthquake of magnitude 5.3 struck Telangana’s Mulugu district on Wednesday morning, sending tremors across Hyderabad and parts of Andhra Pradesh. The quake occurred at 7:27 am, causing panic among residents, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS).
While there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage, officials are currently assessing the situation. Experts have advised residents to stay alert and avoid crowded or unsafe buildings during seismic events.
The NCS shared the details of the earthquake on X, reporting: “EQ of M: 5.3, On: 04/12/2024 07:27:02 IST, Latitude: 18.44 N, Longitude: 80.24 E, Depth: 40 km, Location: Mulugu, Telangana.”
Telangana Weatherman, an X user, commented, “For the first time in the last 20 years, Telangana experienced the most powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3 at Mulugu.” Tremors were felt across the region, including in Hyderabad.
Historically, seismic activity in Telangana is low, making earthquakes in the region a rare event.
India has four seismic zones: Zone II (low intensity), Zone III, Zone IV, and Zone V (highest intensity). Telangana falls under Zone II, known for its low seismic activity.
India’s seismic zones cover approximately 59% of the total land area, with 11% in Zone V, 18% in Zone IV, and 30% in Zone III.
In related news, a 2.9-magnitude earthquake struck Karbi Anglong in Assam on November 30. The NCS recorded the quake around 2:40 am, with its epicentre at a depth of 25 km in Karbi Anglong.
Earlier, a 5.8-magnitude earthquake hit Jammu and Kashmir on November 28, though there were no reports of casualties or property damage. The quake originated in Afghanistan, with the epicentre located at 36.49 degrees north latitude and 71.27 degrees east longitude at a depth of 165 km.