Massive quake in Afghanistan shakes Delhi-NCR—What caused the tremors felt across northern India?

What happened during the April 2025 Afghanistan earthquake?

A 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan‘s Hindu Kush region in the early hours of Wednesday, April 16, 2025, with tremors rippling across northern India, including Delhi-NCR, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and parts of Himachal Pradesh. The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported that the seismic event occurred at 4:43 AM IST, with an epicentre located at latitude 35.83°N and longitude 70.60°E at a depth of 75 kilometres. Although no casualties or serious damage were immediately reported in India or Afghanistan, the quake was felt widely enough to cause momentary panic among residents.

According to early assessments, the earthquake was part of a larger pattern of recent seismic activity in the region. On April 19, another tremor—measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale—was recorded near the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border, also sending shockwaves across North India and parts of Pakistan. That event occurred at a depth of 130 kilometres, and it followed a 5.9-magnitude quake registered in Pakistan earlier the same day. These tremors underscore the seismic volatility of the region and raise important questions about preparedness and regional tectonic dynamics.

Why is the Hindu Kush region so earthquake-prone?

The Hindu Kush region of northeastern Afghanistan is one of the most seismically active areas in the world. It sits at the complex convergence of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. As the Indian Plate continues to move northward and collide with the Eurasian Plate, immense geological pressure builds up, releasing energy periodically through earthquakes. Unlike shallow earthquakes that cause greater surface damage, those originating deep within the Earth’s crust—like the 75 km-deep April 16 quake—tend to be felt across wider areas without necessarily resulting in large-scale devastation.

Historically, the region has experienced numerous significant quakes. For instance, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake in October 2015 killed over 400 people in Afghanistan and Pakistan. More recently, a 6.1-magnitude tremor in June 2022 claimed over 1,000 lives and injured thousands in eastern Afghanistan. These events have highlighted the ongoing risk posed by deep-focus earthquakes in this region and the limitations of infrastructure in coping with their impact.

How did the tremors affect India?

The April 2025 earthquake caused noticeable tremors in several Indian cities, especially in Delhi-NCR, Chandigarh, and parts of Jammu & Kashmir. Residents in high-rise buildings reported feeling swaying movements, prompting many to evacuate homes and apartments temporarily. Social media platforms quickly filled with real-time updates, videos, and queries, reflecting widespread public concern. Emergency services received multiple calls, although no major incidents or damages were reported in urban centres.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that Delhi and its surrounding areas lie in seismic zone IV, which denotes a high level of seismic risk. In contrast, parts of Uttarakhand and the Northeast fall under zone V, the highest risk category. Experts continue to warn that while the capital region may not face immediate threat from minor tremors, the cumulative risk remains significant, especially given the high population density and growing urban infrastructure.

What does recent seismic activity suggest about regional tectonic stress?

The frequency of tremors in the Hindu Kush and adjacent regions over the past few months has sparked renewed scrutiny from seismologists. While a series of moderate earthquakes is not unusual for this area, closely timed seismic events of magnitude 5.8 and 5.9 raise concerns about stress accumulation in the region’s fault systems.

According to geophysicists, deep earthquakes like those recorded in April 2025 can serve as indicators of shifting stress in the lithosphere. Though less likely to cause surface-level destruction compared to shallower quakes, they often highlight deeper tectonic adjustments that can result in future surface-level ruptures. This is particularly important for densely populated areas within the range of such tremors, as preparedness and early warning systems become critical.

Are current early warning systems sufficient?

India has made significant strides in earthquake preparedness over the past two decades, particularly after the devastating 2001 Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat and the 2015 Nepal earthquake that sent strong tremors into northern India. The National Centre for Seismology, along with the Indian Meteorological Department, now maintains real-time monitoring systems capable of rapidly disseminating alerts.

However, while technological advancements have improved seismic monitoring, early warning systems remain limited in their ability to predict earthquakes before they occur. Unlike cyclones or floods, earthquakes offer little to no warning. That’s why building resilience through improved infrastructure design, strict enforcement of seismic codes in construction, and public education remains the most viable strategy.

Urban centres like Delhi-NCR have gradually begun to adopt earthquake-resilient construction norms. Yet retrofitting older buildings, especially in congested urban spaces, remains a significant challenge. Experts warn that gaps in awareness and enforcement of safety standards leave large sections of the population vulnerable to future seismic shocks.

How has Afghanistan handled seismic crises historically?

Afghanistan’s mountainous terrain and underdeveloped infrastructure make it particularly susceptible to earthquake-related damage. Many rural communities reside in poorly constructed buildings that are not designed to withstand even moderate tremors. This has contributed to disproportionately high death tolls during past seismic events.

Due to ongoing political instability and limited resources, Afghanistan’s disaster management and emergency response capabilities remain constrained. International organisations such as the United Nations and the International Red Cross often play crucial roles in delivering aid and coordinating response efforts in the aftermath of major disasters.

While no major damage has been reported from the April 2025 quake, humanitarian agencies have reiterated the need for improving Afghanistan’s earthquake resilience. Enhanced regional collaboration on seismological data sharing and emergency planning has also been suggested as a means of strengthening collective response across South and Central Asia.

What should residents in India’s high-risk zones do now?

For residents in seismic zones IV and V—covering Delhi, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Northeast India, and parts of Jammu & Kashmir—the recent tremors are a reminder of the need for personal and community-level preparedness. Authorities recommend identifying safe spots within homes and offices, securing heavy objects to walls, and maintaining emergency kits. Schools, residential societies, and commercial establishments are being encouraged to conduct regular earthquake drills.

While the April 2025 tremor did not result in casualties, its widespread impact underscores a persistent risk. Seismic events in the Hindu Kush region are capable of affecting vast areas across national borders, making preparedness not just a local but a regional imperative.

India’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and state governments continue to issue public advisories and update building codes. However, experts stress that compliance and community engagement will ultimately determine the effectiveness of these measures.

As the tremors subside, seismologists will continue to monitor the Hindu Kush region for aftershocks or further tectonic movements. While the April 16 earthquake may not have caused direct devastation, it has reignited discussions around seismic vulnerability, cross-border cooperation, and the critical importance of investing in long-term infrastructure resilience in one of the world’s most earthquake-prone corridors.