A mild earthquake struck Bageshwar district in Uttarakhand early Tuesday morning, triggering panic among residents who hurried out of their homes as a precaution. The tremor measured 3.5 on the Richter scale, and no injuries or property damage have been reported so far.

Earthquake Details and Epicentre Location

According to official data, the earthquake occurred at around 29.93° North latitude and 80.07° East longitude, with a depth of 10 kilometres. While the tremors were brief, they were strong enough to be felt across nearby localities, causing momentary fear among the population.

Local administration confirmed that the situation remains under control, and essential services were not disrupted.

No Casualties, Authorities Urge Caution

Officials from local tehsils reported no loss of life or damage to property. Disaster Management Officer Shikha Suyal appealed to residents to stay calm, remain alert, and immediately report any emergency situations to authorities.

Residents were also advised to avoid rumours and rely only on official updates.

Recent Seismic Activity Raises Concerns

Repeated Tremors in Uttarakhand

This is not an isolated incident. On December 10, a similar tremor was felt in Vyas Valley of Pithoragarh district, close to the India–China border in Dharchula tehsil. Although mild, that earthquake again highlighted the region’s high seismic sensitivity.

Frequent low-intensity earthquakes continue to underline the fragile geological nature of the Himalayan belt.

District Administration on High Alert

Monitoring Vulnerable Zones

Following the latest tremor, the district administration intensified surveillance in sensitive areas. Officials are closely monitoring seismic activity and urging people to strictly follow earthquake safety guidelines.

The Disaster Management Department has reiterated the importance of preparedness, especially in light of Uttarakhand’s updated seismic classification.

Uttarakhand Placed in Highest Seismic Risk Zone

Seismic Zone 6 Explained

In December 2025, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) released a revised seismic map placing the entire state of Uttarakhand in Seismic Zone 6, the highest earthquake risk category. Earlier, the state was divided between Zone 4 and Zone 5.

Experts warn that this change means future earthquakes could cause widespread and uniform damage, affecting both urban plains and mountainous regions.

Experts Call for Stronger Infrastructure and Policies

Need for Urgent Preparedness

Seismologists and disaster management experts stress that Uttarakhand must urgently:

• Enforce strict, earthquake-resistant building codes

• Upgrade infrastructure planning

• Strengthen disaster response systems

• Increase public awareness and preparedness training

With its location in the seismically active Himalayan region, Uttarakhand remains highly vulnerable to future earthquakes.

Conclusion: Vigilance Is Key for Residents

With the entire state now officially classified under Seismic Zone 6, disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure have become critical priorities. Authorities continue to stress that public vigilance, awareness, and adherence to safety measures are the strongest safeguards against future seismic events.

As seismic activity continues to be closely monitored, residents are urged to stay informed and prepared.