The earthquake shook Himachal Pradesh just before midnight. In fact, at 10.04 pm on Friday night the earth trembled violently. This sudden vibration created an atmosphere of panic in the entire state. People sitting in their homes were frightened by these sudden shocks. People did not understand what was happening. The intensity of the earthquake was recorded at 4.3 on the Richter scale, which is considered a medium grade earthquake but its tremors were so strong that people had to come out of their homes to save their lives.
Actually, the epicenter of the earthquake is said to be about eighteen kilometers away from Dharamshala. Due to the epicenter being located deep underground, the impact of the shock was felt far and wide. These tremors frightened people from major cities like Kangra, Chamba, Dharamshala, Kullu, Shimla to almost all the districts of Himachal Pradesh and their surrounding rural areas. People came out of their homes and came to the open fields and roads. Parents holding children in their lap, youth supporting the elderly, everyone had the same fear that some major accident might happen. The walls of the houses had started shaking, the roofs were giving the impression of creaking.
This situation of panic continued for a long time. People could not muster the courage to return to their homes for a long time. The administration showed promptness and started monitoring the situation. It is a matter of relief that till now no information has been received about any kind of loss of life or property. However, after the earthquake, there was an atmosphere of anxiety and fear among the people. The concerned agencies are waiting for the detailed report so that any unexpected incident can be dealt with.
Actually, this is not the first time that earthquake tremors have been felt in Himachal Pradesh. Kangra region in particular is considered extremely sensitive from seismic point of view. This area falls in the category of high earthquake risk areas. History is witness to the fact that earthquakes of mild and moderate intensity have been occurring from time to time in Dharamshala and surrounding areas. This time too, the strong shock of the earthquake was felt simultaneously in almost the entire Himachal Pradesh, due to which its seriousness can be estimated. Geologists believe that plate collisions occur continuously in this region, which causes earthquakes.
