North India jolted after 6.2 magnitude earthquake hits Nepal, people rush out to safety

National Centre for Seismology on Tuesday said the earthquake of magnitude 6.2 strikes Nepal at depth of 5 km, following which strong tremors were felt in several parts of north India, including Delhi-NCR.

New Delhi: Two earthquakes of magnitude 4.6 and 6.2 jolted Nepal at an interval of 25 minutes, with strong tremors travelling to Delhi-NCR and parts of north India, the National Centre for Seismology said on Tuesday. An official said the first quake of magnitude 4.6 hit Nepal at a depth of 10 kilometre at 2:25 pm. A stronger quake -- magnitude 6.2 -- jolted the Himalayan nation at 2:51 pm.

People in Delhi and the National Capital Region reported strong tremors after the second quake and rushed out of their offices and high-rise buildings. The Delhi Police urged them not to panic. "We hope you all are safe. Please come out of your buildings to a safe spot, but do not panic. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS! For any emergency help, dial 112," it said in a post on X.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also stepped out of Nirman Bhawan, along with others, as strong tremors hit the national capital. Tremors were felt in other parts of north India including Lucknow, Hapur, and Amroha in Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, and Jaipur. Parts of Uttarakhand also experienced tremors following the back-to-back earthquakes in Nepal.

Nepal lies in one of the most active tectonic zones (seismic zone IV and V) of the world, making the country extremely vulnerable to earthquakes. According to the US' National Aeronautics and Space Administration, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal on April 25, 2015, killing more than 8,000 people and injuring over 21,000.