67 Tremors in 3 Years: Himachal Steps Up Earthquake Monitoring

Himachal Pradesh’s seismic vulnerability is prompting the state to strengthen its earthquake monitoring and early-warning network after 67 tremors were recorded in three years up to August 1, 2026.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi told the state Assembly that the tremors caused ₹7.05 lakh in assessed damage to private property. Chamba reported the highest number, with 26 tremors, followed by Lahaul-Spiti with 14, Kinnaur seven, Kangra four and Shimla two. Private-property losses were reported in Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti, at ₹4.55 lakh and ₹2.50 lakh respectively.

The strongest earthquake during the period was a magnitude 5.3 quake in Chamba on April 4, 2024. The National Centre for Seismology recorded it at 9:34 pm at a depth of 10 km. Tremors were felt beyond Himachal, including parts of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, but no immediate major loss of life or property was reported.

The state already has sensors and early-warning systems for rapid earthquake information. However, authorities are planning an expansion under the National Instrumentation Network Project, with around 100 scientific instruments proposed across Himachal Pradesh.

The first phase involves 10 instruments at identified locations in Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla and Solan. Six have already been installed: one each in Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Mandi and Solan, and two in Chamba. The National Centre for Seismology is installing the equipment in coordination with the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority.

The expanded network is intended to improve the density and quality of seismic observations, enabling faster detection, better assessment of ground shaking and quicker dissemination of warnings. Separately, the Himalayan early-warning programme uses instruments that detect P-waves, which arrive before the stronger shaking generated by seismic waves.

These systems cannot predict an earthquake in advance. Instead, they can detect an earthquake soon after it begins and, where conditions permit, provide a short warning before stronger shaking arrives.

For a state exposed to active Himalayan faults, fragile slopes and landslide risks, the expansion represents a shift toward monitoring, alerts and stronger disaster preparedness.