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“A bid of earthquakes, including a important tremor measuring 5.0 connected the Richter scale, shook the Dharamshala region successful Himachal Pradesh, triggering panic among residents, though nary nonaccomplishment of beingness oregon large spot harm was reported,” officials said connected Saturday (June 6, 2026).
“The earthquakes struck the portion connected June 5, with the strongest occurring astatine 10.04 p.m. Its epicentre was located astir 40 km from Dharamshala, betwixt Dhar Ghadoi and Reserved Forests of Kugti successful the Dhauladhar ranges on the Kangra-Chamba border,” they said.
The earthquake originated astatine a extent of 22.5 km and the little tremor was felt crossed Kangra, Chamba and adjoining districts. Residents reported beardown shaking, and galore rushed retired of their homes arsenic a precaution. Seismic enactment had begun earlier successful the day. At 8.52 a.m., a mild earthquake measuring 2.3 magnitude was recorded adjacent Minkiani Pass successful the Dhauladhar ranges, astir 16 km from Dharamshala. The tremor was excessively anemic to beryllium felt by astir residents.
Following the 5.0 magnitude quake, 2 much tremors were recorded aboriginal successful the night. A 2.8 magnitude earthquake struck astatine 11.03 p.m. astir 18 km from Dharamshala, followed by a 3.0 magnitude tremor astatine 11.52 p.m. adjacent Reserve Forest (RF) Hilang, astir 23 km from the town.
Kangra district, wherever Dharamshala is located, falls nether Seismic Zone V, the highest earthquake-risk class successful India. Earthquakes of magnitude 3 to 4 are mostly considered insignificant and seldom origin structural damage, though they are often felt by residents.
According to seismologists, predominant low-intensity earthquakes successful the geologically young Himalayan portion whitethorn assistance merchandise accumulated tectonic accent on responsibility lines. However, experts caution that specified enactment does not regularisation retired the anticipation of a large earthquake successful the future.
The tremors person revived memories of the devastating 1905 Kangra earthquake, 1 of the deadliest successful India's history. The earthquake estimated astatine a magnitude of 7.8, killed much than 20,000 radical and destroyed much than 1,00,000 buildings crossed the region.
The Himalayas are among the world's youngest and astir tectonically progressive upland ranges. Formed astir 50 cardinal years agone owed to the collision of Indian and Eurasian plates, the upland concatenation continues to emergence by astir 1 centimetre each year.
