Low-intensity quake jolts Delhi, NCR and students

A 4.9-magnitude earthquake struck the Capital on Monday at 1.11 pm, pulling panic-stricken people out of their homes and offices. The tremors, which lasted about 12 seconds, jammed cellphone networks in some areas and also delayed the ongoing CBSE board examinations in many schools for a short while.

According to the met department, the low-intensity earthquake had its epicentre in Bahadurgarh, near the Delhi-Haryana border.

Although the earthquake did no major damage and no casualties were reported, it did spark panic in several parts of the Capital and NCR.

“Many employees panicked as the impact magnified on the 12th floor where our office is situated. It was indeed shocking, with lifts jammed and a huge rush on the stairs,” said Rakesh Malhotra, chairman of Pullman, a Gurgaon-based company.

“The intensity of the earthquake is same in the radius of 50 km. Anything above the magnitude of 5.5 could prove dangerous for Delhi,” said a senior met officer. The earthquake also disrupted the Class 12 Physics board examination on Monday. Students, however, were not allowed to leave the classrooms as it is against the CBSE policy.

“The board should compensate the students for the time lost in the chaos,” said Shefali Saxena, a parent.