On the morning of December 4, 2024, a 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck the Mulugu district in Telangana, sending tremors across Hyderabad and parts of neighboring Andhra Pradesh. According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the earthquake hit at 7:27 AM, causing panic among residents. While there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage, authorities have launched an assessment of the situation.
The earthquake was registered with a depth of 40 km and its epicenter located at latitude 18.44 N and longitude 80.24 E in Mulugu, Telangana. The NCS confirmed the details of the tremor on social media, urging residents to remain cautious. “EQ of M: 5.3, On: 04/12/2024 07:27:02 IST, Location: Mulugu, Telangana,” the agency posted on X.
Tremors from the earthquake were also felt in the neighboring states of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. In Maharashtra, districts such as Nagpur, Gadchiroli, and Chandrapur experienced mild shocks. Local officials in Chandrapur urged residents to stay calm, advising them to move to open spaces in the event of aftershocks. The tremors were reported to have reached as far as 200-300 kilometers from the epicenter, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Telangana is categorized as a low-intensity seismic zone (Zone II), and such earthquakes are rare in the region. However, experts are advising caution as light tremors can be felt even at a considerable distance from the earthquake’s epicenter. The NCS’s official statements also pointed out that although the earthquake was strong, it did not cause severe damage, with the region largely unaffected by the seismic event.
The event has sparked discussions online, with a local weather enthusiast referring to it as “one of the strongest earthquakes to occur in Telangana in the last 20 years,” further underscoring the rarity of seismic activity in this region.
Meanwhile, the earthquake’s occurrence in Telangana comes on the heels of other recent seismic events across India. A 2.9-magnitude earthquake shook Assam’s Karbi Anglong on November 30, and a powerful 5.8-magnitude earthquake hit Jammu and Kashmir on November 28, though no fatalities or significant property damage were reported in those incidents.
As the situation continues to unfold, authorities are urging people to stay alert and follow safety guidelines during such seismic events, particularly in earthquake-prone areas across the country.
Sources By Agencies
