5.9-Magnitude Quake in Afghanistan Felt Across North India

Strong earthquake tremors rattled northern India and neighboring regions on Friday night, April 3, as a 5.9-magnitude quake centered in Afghanistan's Hindu Kush mountains sent waves of shaking across Delhi and surrounding areas. The event, which struck around 9:45 p.m., prompted thousands of residents to evacuate homes and buildings in a wave of precautionary panic, though no casualties or structural damage were reported.

The epicenter was located at coordinates approximately 36.52 degrees north latitude and 71.01 degrees east longitude, at a depth of about 175 kilometers, according to seismic data from monitoring agencies. The quake originated from the movement of tectonic plates along the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian plates, a common trigger in this seismically active zone. Tremors lasted between a few seconds and up to 15 seconds in affected areas, causing furniture to sway, ceiling fans to rock, and doors to rattle in high-rise structures.

In India's National Capital Region, including Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad, people described sudden jolts that interrupted evening routines. "I felt a strong jolt which lasted for a few seconds," said Baldev...