Maharashtra: Major Earthquake Hits Hingoli; Tremors Felt In Nanded, Parbhani

Mumbai: An earthquake of magnitude 4.7 shook Hingoli district in Maharashtra on Saturday morning. Tremors also hit the neighbouring districts of Nanded and Parbhani. No casualties or major damage have been reported so far, officials told the media.

What happened in Maharashtra's Hingoli district?

Tremors were felt in Maharashtra's Hingoli district on Saturday morning. The earthquake's intensity was measured at 4.7 magnitude on the Richter scale. Officials stated that tremors were also felt in parts of the Nanded and Parbhani districts. So far, there are no reports of any loss of life or property damage. Hingoli Collector Rahul Gupta reported that cracks appeared in some houses and the community hall in Pangra Shinde village.

Officials in the Nanded district cited a reading from the National Center for Seismology, which indicated a magnitude of 4.7 for the earthquake that occurred at 8:45 AM. They stated that the epicenter of the earthquake was located 10 kilometers beneath the ground in Shirli village, within the Vasmat taluka of Hingoli district.

Officials noted that tremors were also felt in the nearby city of Nanded and its rural areas—specifically the Ardhapur, Hadgaon, and Himayatnagar talukas—as well as in parts of the Parbhani district. Although there are currently no reports of fatalities from any of the affected districts, there are reports of minor damage.

Hingoli Collector Gupta stated, "I have received photographs showing cracks in houses and the community hall in Pangra Shinde village of Hingoli district. Our teams are heading to the site to assess the situation and document the exact extent of the damage."

What did the authorities appeal to citizens?

Local officials have appealed to citizens to remain calm and adhere to safety protocols. As a precautionary measure, emergency response teams have been kept on standby in Nanded and Parbhani. Officials have advised residents living in houses with corrugated tin roofs to remove any heavy stones placed on top and to secure the sheets with bolts as a safety precaution.

The Nanded district administration has advised residents that, should any further tremors occur or if they hear any unusual sounds, they should immediately move to open spaces and inform the administration by calling the emergency helpline.

Were Earthquake Tremors Felt in Nanded?

A college teacher in Nanded stated, "I was sitting in the staff room of my college, working, when I suddenly felt a vibration. I was momentarily confused when I heard an unusual sound. Then, I realized that it was a mild earthquake." Mild tremors were felt in Washim city at approximately 8:45 AM. Residents in certain parts of the city experienced slight vibrations, creating a brief atmosphere of panic. However, it is a matter of relief that no reports of loss of life or property damage have emerged in connection with this incident.