A 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck Haryana’s Jhajjar district on Thursday morning, July 10, 2025, jolting large parts of Delhi-NCR out of their daily routines and triggering temporary panic among residents. The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported that the quake occurred at 9:04 a.m., with the epicentre located approximately 3 km northeast of Jhajjar and at a depth of 10 km beneath the Earth’s surface.
Wide Area Affected, Tremors Felt Across NCR
The tremors were felt across a broad region, including New Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and several parts of western Uttar Pradesh. Many residents described the experience as a “strong jolt” that lasted for several seconds.
People in high-rise buildings reported seeing ceiling fans swaying, window panes rattling, and in some cases, slight structural movements. Videos posted on social media captured people rushing out of buildings, some still holding their morning tea or phones, while others congregated in open areas as a precautionary measure.
“I was on a video call when my chair suddenly started shaking. At first, I thought it was just me feeling dizzy. But when I looked around, I saw my cupboard trembling too. That’s when I knew it was an earthquake,” said Pallavi Verma, a software engineer in Gurugram.
Metro Services Temporarily Disrupted
In response to the tremors, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) immediately halted train services for a brief period to carry out safety inspections. Though operations resumed within minutes, passengers reported brief delays on the Blue and Yellow Lines.
A DMRC spokesperson said, “As part of our standard operating procedure, trains were halted at the nearest stations during the quake. After safety checks, services resumed normally. There was no damage to any part of the infrastructure.”
Emergency Services Respond Swiftly
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Haryana Disaster Response Team, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) swiftly issued public advisories. The NDRF shared safety tips for before, during, and after an earthquake, emphasizing the importance of the “Drop, Cover, and Hold” technique.
“No major injuries or damage have been reported so far,” said an NDRF spokesperson. “However, we urge citizens to remain cautious and avoid spreading rumours. Aftershocks, though uncommon at this magnitude, cannot be ruled out.”
Hospitals in the region, including AIIMS and Safdarjung, conducted internal safety checks but reported no disruptions to patient care or services.
Residents Recall the Terrifying Experience
For many Delhi-NCR residents, the earthquake brought back memories of past tremors in the region. Delhi lies in Seismic Zone IV, which is categorized as a high-risk zone for earthquakes.
In Noida’s Sector 137, a family living on the 12th floor of a high-rise society ran out in their nightwear. “The whole building swayed. For a moment, it felt like the floor was moving under our feet,” said Ramesh Chaudhary, a resident.
Others reported their pets acting strangely seconds before the tremors hit. “My dog started barking and pacing in circles just before we felt the jolt,” said a resident from Dwarka.
Expert Opinion and Geological Background
Seismologists explain that the earthquake was tectonic in nature, caused by the movement of the Indian plate along active fault lines in the region. The Delhi-Haridwar Ridge and the Mahendragarh-Dehradun Fault are among the key contributors to seismic activity in northern India.
“An earthquake of magnitude 4.4 is considered moderate but can still be strongly felt when it occurs at a shallow depth, as this one did,” said Dr. Ananya Kapoor, a geophysicist at the Indian Institute of Science.
She added, “The growing urbanization of Delhi and NCR, combined with aging infrastructure and non-compliance with earthquake-resistant building codes, makes events like this especially concerning.”
Government Calls for Preparedness
The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed local authorities to conduct building audits and review disaster preparedness protocols in schools, hospitals, and government buildings.
Urban planning experts emphasized the urgent need to reinforce older structures and enforce compliance with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) codes for earthquake-resistant construction.
“We must not wait for a larger disaster to act. Delhi and its surrounding areas need better enforcement of safety norms,” said Ajay Singh, former member of the National Institute of Disaster Management.
Past Earthquakes in the Region
Delhi-NCR has experienced similar tremors in recent years. Notable among them was the 4.0-magnitude quake in February 2025, with an epicentre near Dhaula Kuan. Prior to that, a 4.6-magnitude quake in May 2020, centred near Rohtak, had also rattled the capital.
Each of these events, while not causing significant damage, served as wake-up calls for improving urban resilience.
What Residents Can Do
Experts recommend several steps to stay safe:
- Secure heavy furniture and shelves at home.
- Prepare an emergency kit with essentials like water, first-aid, flashlights, and documents.
- Know the evacuation plan of your building.
- Participate in community drills and stay informed through official channels.
The NDRF has published an earthquake preparedness guide online, available in multiple languages, which can help residents understand what to do in emergencies.
Looking Ahead
While Thursday’s earthquake did not cause any reported casualties or major damage, it highlighted the urgent need for urban resilience in Delhi-NCR. With the population density and the growing number of high-rises in the region, even a moderate quake has the potential to cause widespread disruption.
Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation. Residents have been advised to remain alert, avoid unverified information, and follow government updates in the event of any aftershocks.