Delhi Earthquake | 4.4 Magnitude Tremors in NCR.

A quite Wednesday morning was jolted by a 4.4 magnitude earthquake that struck northern India on May 11 around 9:04 AM. The epicenter, located in Haryana’s Jhajjar district, caused vibrations as well as tremors through many locations of Delhi and Noida. The earthquake was also felt in Gurugram as well as western Uttar Pradesh even as far as Meerut and Shamli — nearly 200 kilometers away.

Fans Shook, Walls Trembled: Residents Share Panic and Surprise

As tremors surging through the capital, startled residents rushed out of their homes. In many neighborhoods, people noticed ceiling fans swaying and windows shaking. Offices in Noida and Gurugram experienced the quake too — some employees stepped out as desks and monitors slightly shook.

On social media, reactions poured in instantly. Many users said the Delhi earthquake felt unusually long — “the longest I’ve ever felt in my life,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter). The sense of fear was clear, even though the damage was minimal.

How Authorities Responded

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was prompt in issuing safety guidance and asking residents not to panic, avoid using a lift and to use the stairs when exiting a building. For others, who happened to be driving when the shocks occurred, the message was simply pull over in a safe manner and end in an open area.

This type of guidance while routine can be impactful – especially in Delhi where buildings are densely packed together and a little panic can turn into a larger crisis.

Why Earthquakes Keep Striking Delhi-NCR

What happens in the capital is an earthquake happens much more than most people know. Since Delhi is located in Seismic Zone IV, an earthquake of moderate or severe intensity is possible given how many earthquakes have occurred around Delhi or within Delhi. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) experts point out that given that Delhi is located on more than just a couple of active fault lines, the city is very simply at risk.

These include:

The Delhi-Haridwar Ridge
The Sohna Fault
The Delhi-Moradabad Fault
The Mahendragarh-Dehradun Fault

This area is also affected by the slow collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, which builds pressure underground until the pressure is released — that’s when the earth shakes.

A Reminder from History

Delhi’s geologic record includes a long history of earthquake activity. Since1720, there have been a minimum of five earthquakes in the region with magnitudes of 5.5 or greater. With a greater height and density of buildings, the hazardous effects of an earthquake in Delhi can be amplified. Bearing this in mind, there is greater emphasis on awareness and preparedness from here on out.

What You Can Do to Stay Safe

The earthquake we felt here in Delhi today, although it may not have done any damage, is a wake-up call. Here are some things you can do to educate yourselves for the next one:

Have an emergency kit at home with basics, like food and water.
Have a definition of safe areas of your building (some examples are if you are under a piece of furniture – a sturdy table is always better, and walls of a building are always better than those outside).
Do not use an elevator.
If you are in your car, pull over and stop off the side of the road until the shaking stops.
And finally, once the shaking stops be aware of potential gas leaks, structures cracks, and hanging wires if you are going to go back into a building.

Final Thoughts

The earthquake today in Delhi left people shaken but safe. It was a moment that reminded the city of the unpredictability of nature. It was a moment that reminded everyone in the capital about the uncertainty of nature. Tremors were felt virtually everywhere from Noida to Gurugram and you surely would not have missed in central Delhi.

It was as terrifying as it was joining — online and offline — as many immediately felt they literally just needed to prepare, relax and above all — stay informed.