Seven earthquake tremors were felt across Gujarat’s Rajkot district on Friday morning within a span of about 11 hours, triggering panic in Jetpur, Dhoraji, Upleta and surrounding rural areas, officials said. No loss of life or property has been confirmed so far.
Residents reported repeated shaking from early morning, prompting many people to move out of their homes and gather in open areas and fields as a precaution. Rural residents were also seen moving livestock to open spaces.
According to data released by the Institute of Seismological Research, a total of seven seismic events were recorded between 6:19 am and 8:34 am. The best tremor measured 3.8 in magnitude, while the remaining tremors ranged between 2.7 and 3.2 in magnitude.
The first and best tremor was recorded at 6:19 am with a magnitude of 3.8. This was followed by a 2.9-magnitude tremor at 6:56 am, a 3.2-magnitude tremor at 6:58 am, a 2.9-magnitude tremor at 7:10 am, another 2.9-magnitude tremor at 7:13 am, a 2.7-magnitude tremor at 7:33 am, and a subsequent tremor at 8:34 am.
An earthquake of magnitude 3.3 had also been recorded in the same region on Thursday night at around 8:43 pm.
The Institute of Seismological Research said the epicentres of the tremors were located approximately 27 to 30 kilometres east-northeast of Upleta. The depth of the earthquakes ranged between 6.1 kilometres and 13.6 kilometres below the surface.
Officials said the repeated tremors led the administration to declare a holiday for schools as a precautionary measure. Disaster management teams, police and municipal authorities remain on alert and are monitoring the situation. Administrative surveys have not confirmed any structural damage so far.
