Shimla, June 6
A moderate earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale struck Himachal Pradesh late Friday night, sending tremors across several districts and prompting residents to rush out of their homes as a precaution.
According to the Meteorological Center, Shimla, the earthquake occurred at 10:04 pm. The epicenter was located in Chamba district at 32.28 degrees north latitude and 76.43 degrees east longitude. Officials said the quake originated at a depth of 5 kilometers, making the tremors more noticeable across the region.
Residents in Shimla, Chamba, Kullu, Hamirpur, and nearby areas reported feeling the shaking for a few seconds. The sudden tremors sparked panic in some areas, prompting people to step outside their homes and buildings.
Authorities said no loss of life or damage to property has been reported so far. The administration is closely monitoring the situation and gathering information from affected areas.
The earthquake comes at a time when Himachal Pradesh is witnessing unusual weather conditions. While snowfall has been recorded in the higher reaches during June, temperatures in the plains have once again approached 40 degrees Celsius. The weather department has also predicted rain and unsettled weather conditions across parts of the state until June 11.
Experts have repeatedly warned that Himachal Pradesh remains one of India’s most seismically vulnerable regions, with a large part of the state falling under high earthquake-risk zones. As a result, mild to moderate earthquakes are periodically experienced across the mountainous state.
The tremors also revived memories of the devastating 1905 Kangra earthquake, one of the deadliest natural disasters in the region’s history, which claimed more than 10,000 lives. The event continues to serve as a reminder of the state’s geological sensitivity and the need for preparedness in earthquake-prone areas.
