Nagpur: Two mild earthquakes struck villages in Nagpur district on Tuesday, making it the 15th recorded seismic activity in the city’s hinterland since 2023 and renewing concerns among geologists over a steady rise in earthquake activity in an area traditionally considered among the safest seismic zones in the country. However, there was no loss of life or property.According to National Centre for Seismology (NCS), a 2.3-magnitude earthquake was recorded at Haldgaon village in Umred tehsil around 3.30pm, followed by a 3.0-magnitude tremor near neighbouring Dawaha village, 26km off Nagpur city. The twin tremors, which originated 8-10km beneath the earth’s surface, added to the growing list of earthquakes reported from the Nagpur region, which recorded two seismic events in 2023 and 11 in 2024 alone.The temblors come against the backdrop of a series of significant seismic events experienced across Vidarbha in the last two years. In December 2024, a 5.3-magnitude earthquake in Mulugu, Telangana, sent strong tremors across Nagpur and several districts of Vidarbha, an event widely considered the strongest in the region since the devastating 1997 Latur earthquake. Earlier, Melghat in Amravati district was jolted by a 4.2-magnitude earthquake, while Seoni in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh also witnessed tremors that sent ripples in the region.Though Umred hosts several open-cast mines operated by Western Coalfields (WCL), where blasting often causes vibrations in nearby villages, experts said Wednesday’s events were different because they were recorded well below the surface and bore characteristics of natural earthquakes rather than mining-induced disturbances.The twin tremors occurred on a day when Korba in Chhattisgarh also reported a 3.5-magnitude earthquake. Earlier this month, Ghugus in Chandrapur district recorded a 2.7-magnitude tremor. Maharashtra has witnessed a cluster of low-intensity earthquakes in recent weeks, including two events in Palghar measuring 2.1 and 2.4 magnitude, a 2.6-magnitude earthquake near Pune and a 3.3-magnitude tremor in Sangli.Former director of Earthquake Geology Division, GSI, Anjan Chatterjee said the increasing frequency of earthquakes around Nagpur cannot be dismissed as isolated.“These locations are 20km southeast of Nagpur. But the aggravation of seismic activities in and around Nagpur in the past five years is a matter of concern. Never have so many tremors been recorded in or around Nagpur, thus busting the myth that we are in the safest seismic zone, namely Zone II under BIS classification,” he said.Chatterjee said detailed investigations, including deep seismic sounding studies, are required to understand the processes triggering the earthquakes. He believes the tremors may indicate recent reactivation of dormant faults at depths of around 8km, matching the focal depth of Tuesday’s events.The rise in seismic activity had earlier prompted Geological Survey of India (GSI) to undertake a comprehensive study after a series of low-intensity earthquakes struck Nagpur district in May 2024. The study covered 21 villages across Parseoni, Kuhi, Umred and Kamptee tehsils, followed by a micro-earthquake survey spread over nearly 1,400 sqkm. GSI also recommended heightened monitoring and adherence to earthquake-resistant construction norms.While Nagpur continues to fall under Seismic Zone II, experts say the growing number of tremors recorded in recent years warrants closer scientific scrutiny to determine whether dormant geological structures beneath the region are becoming active again.Recent earthquakes2023: Two low-intensity earthquakes recorded in Nagpur regionFeb-Mar 2024: Six earthquake events/swarm activity reported around NagpurMarch 2024: Quakes reported near Zilpi Lake (Hingna), Parseoni and Wardha Road beltMay 3, 2024: 2.5-magnitude earthquake near Singori village, SaonerMay 4, 2024: 2.4-magnitude earthquake near Malni village, KuhiJune 2024: GSI begins detailed study following seismic activity in Nagpur districtAug 2024: Micro-Earthquake (MEQ) survey launched over 1,400 sq km areaSept 30, 2024: 4.2-magnitude earthquake strikes Melghat, AmravatiOct 2024: 2.6-magnitude earthquake near Seoni, MPDec 2024: 5.3-magnitude Mulugu earthquake sends tremors across VidarbhaOct 22, 2026: 2.7-magnitude earthquake at Ghugus, ChandrapurOct 27, 2026: 2.3-magnitude quake at Haldgaon and 3.0-magnitude quake at Dawaha, UmredGSI findingsNagpur lies in Seismic Zone II, considered a low-risk earthquake zoneThe GSI study covered 21 villages across Parseoni, Kuhi, Umred and Kamptee tehsilsA 1,400 sq km micro-earthquake survey was launched to investigate recurring tremors and possible fault reactivationGSI recommended continuous monitoring of seismic activity and earthquake-resistant construction as per BIS normsScientists have been examining whether stress adjustments or reactivation of dormant faults are responsible for the rise in low-intensity earthquakes in the regionNagpur not earthquake-ready: Much of the city’s infrastructure was built assuming low seismic risk, raising concerns if stronger earthquakes occurWARNING SIGNS FOR NAGPURTwo seismic events reported in 2023, 11 in 2024, and two on TuesdayFrequent tremors are challenging Nagpur’s image as a low-risk Zone II regionExperts say the increasing frequency cannot be dismissed as isolatedPossible reactivation of dormant faults suspectedTuesday’s tremors originated 8-10km below the surface and appeared natural rather than mining-inducedExperts have called for deeper investigations and continuous monitoring
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