Mild Earthquake Jolts Mandi–Shimla region, No damage reported
Shimla, Dec 15,
A mild earthquake measuring 3.1 on the Richter scale was recorded in the early hours of Monday, causing light tremors in parts of Mandi district and adjoining areas of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh.
According to official data, the earthquake occurred at 1:21 am (local time), when most residents were indoors.
The epicentre of the quake was located near Mandi district, around 32–33 kilometres north of Shimla, at coordinates 31.39°N latitude and 77.24°E longitude.
The tremor originated at a shallow depth of about five kilometres, which explains why it was felt by people living close to the epicentral region despite its low magnitude.
Data released by the National Center for Seismology (NCS) classified the shaking intensity as level III, described as weak shaking near the epicentre.
A few residents in nearby areas reported feeling brief vibrations, including rattling of doors and windows, but no panic-like situation was reported. So far, there have been no reports of loss of life, injuries, or damage to property.
Weather conditions at the epicentre were reported to be overcast at the time, with temperatures hovering around 10 degrees Celsius.
Himachal Pradesh falls in a high seismic zone, and small-magnitude earthquakes are not uncommon in the region due to ongoing tectonic activity in the Himalayan belt.
However, experts maintain that such low-intensity tremors generally do not pose a threat but serve as reminders of the region’s seismic sensitivity.
Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation, while urging residents to remain calm and follow standard safety precautions.
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