Top 10 strongest earthquakes in India

The combined death toll from massive earthquakes that jolted Turkey and neighbouring Syria a couple of weeks back has crossed 47,000. Experts have raised concerns over another humanitarian disaster striking the quake-hit nations as millions of survivors are left homeless and struggling for basic necessities, including safe drinking water, shelter, and medical supplies.

Amid the chaos, a number of experts have now raised alarms over another powerful tremor rattling the Indian state of Uttarakhand anytime as a lot of stress is building up beneath the surface. Although one cannot predict the exact date and time of the quake, the magnitude of the disaster depends on a number of factors, including geographic area, construction quality, and population.

Nevertheless, quakes are no exception in India. The country has already seen a number of them in the past. Read on for a concise list of the ten deadliest earthquakes in India’s history.

10) Assam Earthquake, 1897

Magnitude: 8.1

Epicenter: Exact location not known

Death Toll: 1,500

The quake affected India, Tibet, and Burma, and caused catastrophic damage to infrastructures. States like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, and Jammu and Kashmir are likely the most prone to earthquakes, considering they fall under Zone 5 – the highest-risk area.

9) Kangra Earthquake, 1905

Magnitude: 7.8

Epicenter: Himalayas

Death Toll: Over 20,000

The Kangra region of Himachal Pradesh witnessed one of the deadliest quakes in India’s pre-independence era on April 4, 1905. While more than 100,000 homes were destroyed in the disaster, scores of animals, trees, and the area’s natural vegetation also faced wrath.

8) Bihar Earthquake, 1934

Magnitude: 8.7

Epicenter: South of Mount Everest

Death Toll: Over 30,000

The quake brought widespread destruction. Similar to the Pokhara earthquake in 2015, the Bihar earthquake ravaged both Nepal and India, though on a much larger scale.

7) Assam Earthquake, 1950

Magnitude: 8.6

Epicenter: Rima, Tibet

Death Toll: 1,526

Several parts of Assam and Tibet suffered major damage in an earthquake that, unfortunately, struck on the Independence Day of India. After the tremors ceased playing their roles, there was substantial flooding that added additional misery to the already scary situation.

6) Koynanagar Earthquake, 1967

Magnitude: 6.5

Epicenter: Koyna

Death Toll: 180

As many as 20 known earthquakes have occurred in Koynanagar – one of the most seismically active areas in India – with the latest one in 2014. More than 1,500 people are known to have suffered injuries in the 1967 quake.

5) Uttarkashi Earthquake, 1991

Magnitude: 6.8

Epicenter: Garhwal, Uttarakhand

Death Toll: Over 1,000

Many civilians were injured, lots of survivors became homeless, nearly 42,000 homes were destroyed or severely damaged, and more than 1,300 villages were devastated in the quake.

4) Latur Earthquake, 1993

Magnitude: 6.4

Epicenter: Killari, Latur

Death Toll: Over 9,500

Maharashtra faced one of the most fatal natural disasters in its history on September 30, 1993. Although the magnitude recorded wasn’t that high – when compared to some entries to this list – the destruction the quake caused was massive.

3) Gujarat Earthquake, 2001

Magnitude: 7.7

Epicenter: Kutch, Gujarat

Death Toll: 20,000

The destruction was so massive that it took more than six months and rigorous relief efforts from all over the world to restore normalcy. While some lost their life savings in the quake, some lost their lives.

2) Indian Ocean Earthquake, 2004

Magnitude: 9.1 – 9.3

Epicenter: West coast of Sumatra, Indonesia

Death Toll: Over 280,000 (Figure addresses deaths in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Maldives, and Somalia)

This calamity caused extreme widespread destruction just a day after Christmas. The tremor was powerful enough to submerge numerous islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

1) Kashmir Earthquake, 2005

Magnitude: 7.6

Epicenter: Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-administered Kashmir

Death Toll: 130,000

Compared to India, the Pakistani side suffered a relatively more massive loss of life and property. The international community rushed in to lend a helping hand. The Indian Army helped clear the debris, distribute relief supplies and maintain medical camps in both India and Pakistan.

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