Earthquake of 4.7 magnitude hits Alwar, shakes Delhi-NCR

New Delhi, July 3: A medium-intensity earthquake of magnitude 4.7 jolted Alwar district in Rajasthan on Friday, tremors of which were felt in parts of north India including Delhi-NCR, the National Centre for Seismology said.

According to the NCS, the quake occurred at 7 p.M. At a depth of 35 kilometres. The tremors of the quake were also felt in Delhi-NCR, triggering panic among people. There were no immediate reports of loss of life or property. Since April, 20 earthquakes have been recorded in and around Delhi. Of the 20, two were above magnitude 4.

The historical earthquake catalogue shows that there were strong earthquakes in the DelhiNCR — of 6.5 magnitude at Delhi in 1720; 6.8 at Mathura in 1803; 5.5 near Mathura in 1842; 6.7 near Bulandshahar in 1956; 6 near Faridabad in 1960 and 5.8 near Moradabad in 1966. The Delhi-NCR has been identified as the second highest seismic hazard zone (Zone IV). Earlier, in order to ensure seismic stability for buildings in its jurisdiction, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) had started identifying highrise buildings and issuing notice to them to submit a structural audit report.

The South Corporation had issued 77 notices to schools and residential group housing societies and institutions to submit a structure audit report.

An inspection was also carried out by the engineers of the Building department in Sunny Valley Housing Society in Sector 12 and the Delhi State Housing Society in Sector 19 of Dwarka area to check the retrofitting work. In the inspection, it is found that the work of retrofitting is in progress and is expected to be completed in eight months as there is paucity of funds.

◗ THE TREMORS of the quake were also felt in Delhi-NCR, triggering panic among people. There were no immediate reports of loss of life or property. Since April, 20 earthquakes have been recorded in and around Delhi.