Two tremors, including a stronger 4.5-magnitude jolt, rattled parts of Maharashtra's Hingoli district within approximately two hours on Saturday morning, triggering panic among residents, according to nagpurtoday.in. Despite the seismic activity, no casualties or property damage were reported, nagpurtoday.in stated. The New Indian Express also confirmed that no casualties were reported.
The first tremor, measuring 3.3 magnitude, was recorded at around 7:46 am, according to district disaster management authorities cited by nagpurtoday.in. Its epicentre was located at a depth of approximately 7 km near Gadhala village in Aundha Nagnath tehsil. Residents in several villages noticed a rumbling sound accompanying this initial jolt, nagpurtoday.in reported.
Approximately two hours later, a significantly stronger 4.5-magnitude tremor struck the area, according to nagpurtoday.in. This second tremor was felt across various parts of Hingoli district. Residents reported sudden shaking and a rumbling sound. Villagers in Pimpaldari and adjacent areas of Aundha Nagnath tehsil told nagpurtoday.in that the rumbling continued for a few minutes before the second tremor was felt.
The back-to-back seismic events caused panic among residents, leading many to step out of their homes as a precautionary measure, nagpurtoday.in stated. However, the district administration confirmed that there were no reports of casualties or property damage following Saturday's tremors, according to nagpurtoday.in.
Saturday's tremors have renewed concerns over recurring seismic activity in the region, nagpurtoday.in reported. The area has experienced intermittent tremors for nearly six years, making seismic activity a persistent concern for residents. The latest incidents have heightened apprehension among villagers, particularly in areas that have previously experienced stronger tremors, nagpurtoday.in added.
The adjoining Pangra Shinde village had also reported a similar rumbling sound on October 1, further contributing to concerns about ongoing underground activity in the region, nagpurtoday.in noted. Earlier this year, the area witnessed stronger tremors on July 9 and July 11, measuring 4.6 and 3.5 magnitude, respectively. The July tremors were reportedly strong enough to cause cracks in some houses, according to nagpurtoday.in.
With the latest tremors felt across multiple locations, the district administration has urged residents not to panic but to remain alert, nagpurtoday.in reported. Officials are currently monitoring the situation and assessing whether the recent seismic activity has caused any structural damage. Residents have also been advised to follow instructions issued by the authorities and to avoid spreading unverified information that could create unnecessary fear, nagpurtoday.in stated.
The occurrence of two tremors in quick succession, combined with the region's history of intermittent seismic activity, has once again brought the seismic vulnerability of parts of Hingoli into focus, according to nagpurtoday.in.
