On February 17, 2025, a magnitude 4.0 earthquake struck the National Capital Region (NCR) at 5:36 AM, with its epicentre near Jheel Park-Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi. The tremors were strongly felt across Delhi-NCR, jolting people out of their sleep. Scientists confirmed that this event was linked to local geological heterogeneity rather than significant plate movement.
However, Delhi lies in Seismic Zone IV, meaning it remains at risk of moderate to strong earthquakes. The recent tremors serve as a reminder of the urgent need for preparedness and strict adherence to earthquake-resistant construction standards. As the saying goes, “earthquakes don’t kill people; poorly engineered and unsafe buildings do.”
Earthquakes are among the most unpredictable and devastating natural disasters, capable of causing widespread destruction in seconds. In addition, India sits on three major tectonic plates – the Main Central Thrust (MCT), Main Boundary Thrust (MBT), and the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT). These plates are constantly in motion due to the continuous subduction of the Indian plate under the Eurasian plate, leading to frequent seismic activity, particularly in the northern and northeastern regions of India.
Continuous seismic activity in recent years
In recent years, continuous seismic activity has been observed in Afghanistan and Nepal, both close to India’s borders, highlighting the dynamic nature of the Earth’s crust. While scientists cannot predict the exact time, location, or magnitude of an earthquake, continuous monitoring remains crucial for preparedness. India’s close proximity to fault lines and buildings of inadequate resilience are factors that contribute to higher risk of loss and damage to life and property.
Delhi is also susceptible to near-field effects, meaning that earthquakes originating from faults within or close to the region can cause significant ground shaking and damage. Several intraplate faults have been identified in the region, including the Great Boundary Fault, Mahendragarh-Dehradun Fault, Moradabad Fault, Mathura Fault, Sohna Fault, etc.
These faults have been responsible for several moderate earthquakes in the past and continue to pose a serious seismic threat to the city. The presence of these faults increases the likelihood of localised earthquakes that could strike without warning.
Delhi is also highly susceptible to far-field effects due to its proximity to the Indian Himalayan region. The city has experienced tremors from various seismic sources, including the Kangra Earthquake of 1905, which reportedly caused damage of intensity MMI VI in Delhi. The 1991 Uttarkashi Earthquake was also strongly felt in the region. Adding to this risk, the Yamuna River enters Delhi from the north, flowing southward, making nearby regions vulnerable to liquefaction during earthquake-induced shaking.
Some of the other notable earthquakes impacting Delhi include Delhi (1720; M6.5), Mathura (1903; M6.8), Bulandshahr (1956; M6.7), Delhi (1960; M6.0), Moradabad (1966) and Delhi (1994; M4.0), which damaged one of the minarets of the Jama Masjid.
Delhi is one of India’s largest and most densely populated cities with a wide spectrum of residential structures ranging from low-income, poorly constructed houses to high-rise buildings and modern infrastructure. According to the BMTPC Housing Vulnerability Tables (2019), based on Census 2011, Delhi has a large stock of seismically unsafe buildings consisting of many non-engineered and structurally weak buildings in unauthorised colonies.
The haphazard construction of these structures without adherence to earthquake-resistant building codes significantly increases the risk of collapse during a strong tremor.
If an earthquake were to strike today, lifeline buildings, such as hospitals, schools, and government offices, could suffer severe damage. This would cripple the city’s emergency response efforts, limiting the government’s ability to deliver critical services during a disaster. Demolishing and rebuilding unsafe buildings is neither practical nor financially viable, therefore retrofitting / strengthening existing structures remains one of the best solutions. However, retrofitting is a technically complex, time-consuming, and costly process, which needs to be a community-led effort.
Earthquakes account for 50% of disaster-related deaths
Over the past 30 years, earthquakes have accounted for more than 50% of disaster-related deaths globally, making them the leading cause of mass casualty events. The economic and social impact of earthquakes is severe, displacing communities, disrupting livelihoods, and overwhelming healthcare systems. In Türkiye, the 2023 earthquakes caused damages equivalent to 4% of the country’s GDP. These statistics highlight the urgent need for earthquake-resistant infrastructure and disaster preparedness measures.
The National Center for Seismology (NCS) provides round-the-clock monitoring of seismic events, delivering real-time earthquake data, including location, time, magnitude, focal depth, and intensity maps. This information is crucial for authorities to assess potential damage and coordinate emergency response efforts.
As part of its responsibility under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) regularly conducts mock drills and tabletop exercises to enhance preparedness of States. Public awareness campaigns on TV and radio educate people on earthquake preparedness, while special programs like “Aapda ka Samna” on Doordarshan feature expert discussions on earthquake risk reduction.
For better risk assessment, NDMA also initiated the Earthquake Disaster Risk Index (EDRI), which evaluates seismic risks based on hazard, vulnerability, and exposure. Phase I of this project covered 50 cities in 2019, and Phase II is currently in progress, targeting additional 16 cities. Further, it has implemented projects such as the Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Map, Seismic Design of Pipelines, and Performance-Based Seismic Design in collaboration with IITs and BIS.
To promote traditional earthquake-resistant construction, the organisation is documenting indigenous building techniques in the Indian Himalayan Region through the Compendium of Traditional Earthquake Resilient Construction Practices.
Earthquake safety starts at home
NDMA is also responsible for developing guidelines, policies and mitigation programs to systematically reduce earthquake-related losses. These include, the Seismic Retrofitting of Deficient Buildings and Structures (2014); Homeowner’s Guide for Earthquake & Cyclone Safety (2019); and Simplified Guidelines for Earthquake Safety (2021) which provide critical information for safer construction.
A Primer on Rapid Visual Screening (2020) helps engineers and planners assess the seismic vulnerability of buildings. These guidelines assist homeowners in avoiding common construction mistakes, make informed decisions, and ask the right questions to builders, engineers, or property sellers. These guidelines are designed to be simple, featuring lucid illustrations and relevant images to help individuals understand critical safety measures.
At the citizen level, earthquake safety starts at home. Creating an emergency kit with essentials like water, food, medications, and flashlights is crucial. Having a family emergency plan – know which exit to take, where to meet after an earthquake, and emergency numbers to call. Identifying safe spots in homes, participating in earthquake drills, securing non-structural elements that may fall, and retrofitting homes to enhance structural stability can make a significant difference in survival and safety. The time to act is now, before the next disaster strikes.
The writer is Senior Consultant (Seismology), National Disaster Management Authority.