A rare 5.3 magnitude earthquake struck Telangana’s Mulugu, causing tremors across regions, and emphasizing preparedness even in low-seismic areas.

Telangana witnessed an unusual seismic event early on Wednesday morning as a 5.3 magnitude earthquake struck the state, with its epicenter in Mulugu district. The tremor, recorded at 7:27 a.m. by the National Center for Seismology (NCS), sent shockwaves through the state capital, Hyderabad, and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Though Telangana rarely experiences seismic activity, this incident has highlighted the importance of preparedness, even in low-seismic zones like Zone II.

Tremors Felt Across Telangana and Beyond

The Telangana earthquake today was felt in an extensive area, and people in Nagpur, Gadchiroli, and Chandrapur districts in Maharashtra reported mild tremors. Hyderabad residents described the situation as unsettling, with several people rushing out of their houses in panic. There is no immediate report of any casualty or major structural damage, though the authorities continue to assess the situation.

Chandrapur and Nagpur district officials have asked people to be cautious. Collector Chandrapur and Nagpur Collector Vinay Gowda pointed out that people should move to open places in case of further tremors. In the cases of aftershocks, this measure should be taken.

Telangana Seismic Context

India is divided into four seismic zones—II, III, IV, and V—based on the likelihood and intensity of earthquakes. Telangana falls under Zone II, generally considered to be a low-seismicity area. This 5.3 magnitude quake in Mulugu district comes as a rare phenomenon in this region after nearly two decades of relative quiescence. About 59% of the Indian landmass is seismically prone to varying levels of activity, with Zone II representing the least risk of seismicity.

The experts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) explained that seismic waves from this magnitude of earthquakes travel up to 200–300 km from the epicenter, which explains why tremors have been felt in neighboring states.

Learning from Rare Events

Telangana hit by a 5.3 magnitude earthquake does not necessarily cause much physical damage. However, it acts as a wake-up call for both the authorities and residents of low-seismic zones. Experts stress retrofitting buildings to ensure earthquake resistance and raise public awareness about safety protocols.

The event also underlines the role of technology in early detection and risk mitigation. Real-time data from organizations such as the National Center for Seismology and IMD enable timely dissemination of information that allows people to react suitably. Advanced seismic monitoring systems could further enhance preparedness in the future.

Broader Implications of Seismic Activity

This earthquake is part of a broader pattern of tectonic activity across India. Recent seismic events, including a 5.8 magnitude earthquake in Jammu and Kashmir and a smaller tremor in Assam’s Karbi Anglong, illustrate the geographical diversity of seismic risks in the country. Despite being located in Zone V, Jammu and Kashmir reported no significant damages due to its preparedness, highlighting the need for similar measures across all zones.

Conclusion

Today, Telangana has again reminded everyone that nature can play unpredictably at times. Even though the occurrence of seismic activities is less within this region, it necessitates proper preplanned action as well as technological awareness that should not be hindered to increase readiness toward such uncertain future events by such regions.