Earthquake of 4.4 Magnitude Shakes Kutch District in Gujarat

A 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck Gujarat’s Kutch district early Friday morning, causing momentary alarm among residents as it occurred at around 4:30 am while many were still asleep.

The quake originated at a depth of 10 kilometres, as reported by the National Centre for Seismology. Its epicentre was located in the Kachchh area of Gujarat at coordinates 23.65 degrees north and 70.23 degrees east. Due to its shallow depth, tremors were felt in various parts of the district, although they were not particularly strong.

Residents from towns and villages throughout Kutch reported that household items vibrated momentarily. Some ventured outside for safety, while others were awakened by the disturbance. Thankfully, the situation quickly returned to normal.

Local officials and disaster management teams promptly assessed the area following the earthquake and confirmed that no fatalities, injuries, or infrastructural damage had occurred. Although emergency services were on standby, no rescue operations were necessary.

Kutch is prone to seismic activity, having experienced significant earthquakes in the past, including the devastating Bhuj earthquake of 2001. As a result, officials and specialists closely monitor even minor quakes due to historical precedents.

Earlier this April, a 4.3 magnitude quake also hit Kutch, originating from a deeper level of about 20 kilometres, but similarly caused no serious harm.

Authorities have reiterated their advice for residents to remain calm during earthquakes and adhere to safety measures, such as avoiding fragile structures and refraining from using elevators during tremors. They also emphasized the importance of preparedness in quake-prone areas and relying only on official communication.

Experts continue to closely monitor the seismic activities in the region.