Chamba: Mild earthquake tremors were felt in Kangra and Chamba districts of Himachal Pradesh on Friday morning. Due to earthquakes at around 6.59 am in the morning, people’s attention was once again drawn towards the seismic sensitivity of the Himalayan region. According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the intensity of the earthquake was recorded at 3.2 on the Richter scale. Its centre was at a depth of about 15 kilometres underground.
There has been no news of any major damage or loss of life due to this earthquake. However, tremors felt from time to time in Kangra and Chamba definitely indicate the need for vigilance regarding the danger of earthquakes in this region.
Was there a devastating disaster in Kangra in 1905?
The history of Kangra is linked to an earthquake tragedy, which is still counted among the country’s most horrific natural disasters. On April 4, 1905, a powerful earthquake occurred here at around 6:20 in the morning. Its intensity was estimated to be between 7.8 and 8.0.
Thousands of buildings collapsed in this disaster and more than 18 thousand people lost their lives. In some historical records, the number of dead has been stated to be more than 20 thousand. There was massive devastation in Kangra, Dharamshala and surrounding areas. Many settlements were reduced to rubble.
Why is Kangra-Chamba sensitive to earthquake?
The mountainous region of Himachal Pradesh is considered sensitive to earthquakes due to geological activities. Many districts of the state, including Kangra and Chamba, are in high seismic risk areas. Due to the continuous movement between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates in the Himalayas, earthquakes keep occurring here.
According to the State Disaster Management Authority, the Kangra-Chamba region is extremely sensitive to seismic risk. According to the information given in Parliament in July 2026, the Kangra-Chamba-Dharamshala region falls in Seismic Zone-V. This is the highest seismic risk zone of the country.
Is a 3.2 magnitude earthquake a sign of great danger?
According to experts, an earthquake of 3.2 magnitude is kept in the light category. Such shocks generally pose little risk of major damage. However, a small earthquake cannot be considered a sign of a larger earthquake to come in the future. At present it is not possible to predict any major seismic activity based on this incident.
The devastating incident of 1905 in Kangra still reminds us of the importance of earthquake protection. The mild tremor on Friday has once again made it clear that earthquake-resistant construction, awareness and preparedness for disaster management are extremely important in the Himalayan regions.
