Mild earthquake tremors were felt in Uttarkashi this afternoon, causing panic among residents who rushed out of their homes and shops. The earthquake measured 2.7 on the Richter scale, with its epicenter in a forest area between Sald Uparikot and Nismore in Bhatwari tehsil, at a depth of 5 km.
Frequent Earthquakes Raise Concerns
This marks the third earthquake in Uttarkashi within a week, following three tremors on January 24. The increasing frequency has heightened fear among the locals.
Five Earthquakes in Uttarakhand This Month
- January 10: A 2.2-magnitude earthquake struck Bageshwar at 1 AM.
- January 29:
- 7:41 AM – 2.7 magnitude earthquake in Uttarkashi.
- 8:19 AM – 3.5 magnitude tremor in the same region.
- 10:45 AM – Another mild tremor felt.
Earthquake Activity in Uttarakhand
- In December 2024, Uttarakhand experienced five earthquakes, while 44 quakes were recorded across India, with Manipur (6) and Assam (5) among the most affected states.
Why Do Earthquakes Occur?
Earthquakes result from the movement of Earth’s seven tectonic plates. When these plates collide, they create fault lines. Increased pressure causes plates to break, releasing stored energy, leading to earthquakes. Given Uttarakhand’s location in a seismically active zone, tremors are frequent.
