A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake, which had its epicentre in northern Afghanistan, rocked cities across south Asia, including New Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, Pakistani cities Karachi and Islamabad, and Afghan capital Kabul, on Monday afternoon.
The tremors were felt between 2.40 pm and 2.5o pm in New Delhi, Noida and Gurgaon. Many people posted on twitter pictures of cracks that developed in their houses due to the earthquake.
According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake was 7.7 on Richter scale and its epicentre was 45km South-South West of Jarm in Afghanistan.
The Delhi Metro services were halted temporarily due to earthquake in New Delhi, Noida and Gurgaon.
Tremors also felt in Shimla, Srinagar, Chandigarh while phone lines were down in Srinagar due to earthquake.
Vineet Gahlot, director of seismology at the Indian Meteorological Department, said the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.7 and an epicenter deep in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan.
Pakistan state TV reported tremors of the same magnitude. In Pakistani capital of Islamabad, walls swayed back and forth and people poured out of office buildings in a panic.
“It was terrifying, reminded us of the earlier earthquake. Hope there are no aftershocks,” said a Srinagar resident.