5.3-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Telangana, Tremors Felt in Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh

Mulugu(The Uttam Hindu): A 5.3-magnitude earthquake hit the Mulugu district of Telangana on Wednesday morning at 7:27 AM, sending tremors to Hyderabad and parts of Andhra Pradesh. The event triggered considerable alarm among the locals; however, there has been no immediate report of injuries or major damage. Authorities are in the process of evaluating the situation, and experts have recommended that residents stay vigilant and refrain from occupying crowded or unsafe buildings during potential aftershocks.

This is a peculiar earthquake for Telangana. The region falls in Seismic Zone II, with less seismic activity. National Centre for Seismology has authenticated the details of the quake, including its magnitude, geographical coordinates (18.44 N, 80.24 E), depth of 40 km and time of occurrence. Epicentre was found in Mulugu district, which normally is not associated with the minimum seismic activities.

Although seismic activity is seldom in Telangana, this event makes it more than evident that there was a latent seismic hazard for the area. India can be divided into four different seismic zones, namely, Zone II-low seismicity, Zone III-moderate seismicity, Zone IV-high seismicity, and Zone V-very high seismicity. Telangana is in zone II. Yet, the rest of India is always more vulnerable to all sizes of an earthquake; nearly 59% of India's geography poses this risk. So far, the quake reminds us of our need for preparations throughout India, no matter the zone.