Mild 3.3-Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Haryana’s Rohtak, No Damage Reported

A mild earthquake measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale struck Haryana on Sunday afternoon, December 21, 2025, sending brief ripples of concern through the region despite its low intensity. The event, which occurred precisely at 12:13 pm Indian Standard Time, serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of seismic activity in northern India, particularly in areas close to the tectonically active Himalayan belt. Although such minor quakes are not uncommon, they often catch residents off guard during routine daily activities.

According to the National Centre for Seismology, the tremor originated with its epicenter located in Rohtak district at a very shallow depth of 5 kilometers, which explains why the vibrations were felt more prominently on the surface. Shallower earthquakes tend to transmit energy more directly to the ground above, resulting in noticeable shaking even at lower magnitudes. The precise coordinates placed the epicenter approximately 11 kilometers north-northeast of central Rohtak, in a relatively rural part of the district, minimizing potential impacts on densely populated urban centers.

Residents in Rohtak city and surrounding localities, including nearby villages such as Sampla, Ismaila, and other areas along the Delhi-Rohtak corridor, reported feeling the ground shake momentarily for a few seconds. Many individuals described a sudden, rumbling sensation that rattled windows, displaced lightweight objects, and prompted instinctive reactions like pausing conversations or looking around in surprise. In some cases, people in multi-story buildings or at workplaces stepped outside their homes, offices, and schools as a precautionary measure amid the brief but unexpected disturbance, though widespread panic was not reported.

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No immediate reports of casualties, injuries, or structural damage have emerged from the affected areas, as confirmed by local authorities and preliminary surveys conducted shortly after the event. Emergency response teams and district administration officials quickly assessed key infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and public buildings, finding no signs of cracks or compromise. The low magnitude and shallow but localized nature of the quake contributed to its harmless outcome, aligning with patterns observed in similar past events in the region.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely through seismic networks, emphasizing that low-magnitude events like this are relatively common in seismically moderate zones such as Haryana, which falls under Seismic Zone IV as per India's zoning map. Experts from the National Centre for Seismology note that while such tremors serve as important reminders of the region's underlying geological vulnerabilities—influenced by proximity to active fault lines—they rarely escalate into major threats. This incident underscores the ongoing need for public awareness, building code adherence, and community preparedness drills to ensure safety without fostering undue alarm in the face of natural seismic occurrences.

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