Earthquake Sequence Hits Central Maharashtra
A series of mild to moderate earthquakes rattled parts of central Maharashtra early Thursday, with tremors felt across Nanded, Hingoli, and Parbhani districts. According to officials from the Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority, the seismic activity began at 1:37 am and continued intermittently until 3:23 am, with magnitudes ranging from 3.6 to 4.6 on the Richter scale. No casualties or significant property damage have been reported as of now.
Details of the Seismic Activity
The first tremor, measuring 3.6, was recorded at 1:37 am, followed by a stronger 4.2 quake at 2:15 am. The most intense event, a 4.6 magnitude tremor, struck at 3:23 am, causing windows to rattle and prompting many residents to evacuate their homes. An official from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the epicenters were located in a sparsely populated rural area near the confluence of the Godavari and Manjira rivers, approximately 20 kilometers north of Nanded city. The IMD noted that the region lies in Seismic Zone II, indicating low to moderate seismic risk, and such events are not uncommon.
Impact and Response
Local authorities in the three districts immediately activated emergency response protocols. Nanded District Collector Ramesh Gupta stated, “We have deployed teams to assess any structural damage, but initial reports suggest no major harm. People are advised to stay calm and follow safety guidelines.” In Hingoli, schools were temporarily closed as a precaution, while Parbhani officials conducted rapid surveys of older buildings. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been placed on standby, though no deployment has been deemed necessary. The tremors were also faintly felt in parts of neighboring districts such as Latur and Osmanabad, but no alerts were issued there.
Seismological Context
Earthquakes in Maharashtra are relatively rare but not unprecedented. The region experienced a 4.0 magnitude quake in 2023 near Latur, which caused minor cracks in a few structures. Seismologists from the National Centre for Seismology explained that the current sequence is likely due to intraplate stress along the Godavari rift zone. Dr. Anjali Sharma, a seismologist at the Indian Institute of Geophysics, commented, “These tremors are typical for the Deccan Plateau, where ancient fault lines occasionally reactivate. The magnitudes recorded are too low to cause widespread damage, but they serve as a reminder of the need for earthquake preparedness even in low-risk zones.”
Community Reactions
Residents in Nanded reported feeling a sudden jolt followed by a rolling motion. Sunil Patil, a shopkeeper in Nanded city, said, “I woke up to the shaking. It lasted about 10 seconds. We all ran out of our houses. It was scary, but we are safe now.” In Parbhani, some families spent the night outdoors, fearing aftershocks. Local authorities have urged residents to avoid spreading rumors and to rely on official updates. The IMD has stated that the likelihood of a significant aftershock is low, but monitoring continues.
