Residents of Delhi, Noida and Greater Noida woke up to massive jolts and tremors on Monday as a 4.0 magnitude of earthquake with epicentre in the national capital occurred. The incident occurred in the early hours of the day and as reports emerged, many people were seen standing out of their house in panic.
While many are unaware, after earthquake many people go through anxiety unable to recover from the thoughts of the tremor.
Experiencing an earthquake can be terrifying, even if nobody is hurt or nothing is damaged, leaving emotional scars long after the ground has stopped shaking. Many individuals develop post-earthquake anxiety, a condition where fear, worry, and distress persist even when there is no immediate danger. This anxiety may manifest as panic attacks, sleep disturbances, constant fear of another earthquake, or even physical symptoms like headaches and rapid heartbeat.
Please note for these symptoms:
Fear, helplessness, irritability, mood swings, and sadness.
Increased heart rate, sweating, dizziness, fatigue, or muscle tension.
How to treat post-earthquake anxiety?
If you experience these symptoms or see someone near you going through this, do the following.
Relaxation methods can help reduce anxiety levels. Inhale deeply through the nose, hold for a few seconds, and exhale slowly through the mouth. Tense and relax different muscle groups to release stress. Focus on the present moment to prevent overwhelming thoughts.
Children and older adults may experience heightened anxiety after an earthquake. Offer reassurance, encourage open conversations, and provide a safe environment. For children, storytelling, drawing, or role-playing safety drills can help them process their emotions. For elderly individuals, companionship, gentle activities, and regular check-ins can provide comfort and security.
About the Delhi NCR earthquake
The earthquake, with its epicentre in New Delhi, struck at a depth of five kilometres at 5:36 am, the National Center for Seismology said in a post on X. The epicentre was near Durgabai Deshmukh College of Special Education in Dhaula Kuan, an official told PTI. That region, which has a lake nearby, has been experiencing smaller, low-magnitude quakes once every two to three years. It recorded an earthquake of 3.3 magnitude in 2015, he said.
A loud sound was also heard when the earthquake hit, the official added.
In a post on X, The Delhi Police said, “We hope you all are safe, Delhi!”
