An earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale struck the Kachchh district of Gujarat in the early hours of Friday, December 26, 2025. The tremor was recorded at precisely 4:30:02 am Indian Standard Time (IST), as confirmed by the National Centre for Seismology (NCS).
Details of the Seismic Event
The seismic activity originated at a relatively shallow depth of 10 kilometres beneath the earth's surface. The precise location of the epicentre was pinpointed at 23.65 degrees North latitude and 70.23 degrees East longitude, placing it within the Kachchh region. The NCS promptly shared the technical details of the event in a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
The agency's official post read: "EQ of M: 4.4, On: 26/12/2025 04:30:02 IST, Lat: 23.65 N, Long: 70.23 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Kachchh, Gujarat." This immediate dissemination of information is part of standard protocol to inform the public and relevant authorities.
Historical Context and Regional Seismicity
The Kachchh region in Gujarat is historically known for its seismic activity, lying in a zone of high earthquake risk. The area is still remembered for the devastating 2001 Bhuj earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7.7 and caused widespread loss of life and property. While today's tremor was significantly milder, it serves as a reminder of the region's geological volatility.
Earthquakes of this magnitude, typically categorized as light, are often felt by people indoors and may cause slight shaking of objects. However, they rarely result in significant damage to well-constructed buildings.
Response and Current Situation
As of now, there have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage to infrastructure following the early morning quake. Local authorities and disaster management teams are likely to be assessing the situation, though a tremor of this scale often does not necessitate a large-scale emergency response.
The swift reporting by the National Centre for Seismology highlights the improved monitoring and public communication systems in place for seismic events across India. Residents in the affected area reported feeling a sudden jolt that lasted for a few seconds, which is consistent with an earthquake of this magnitude and depth.
Experts continually advise residents in seismically active zones like Kachchh to remain prepared, have an emergency plan, and ensure their dwellings comply with earthquake-resistant construction norms.
