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Bageshwar: Panic gripped residents of Uttarakhand’s Bageshwar district on Tuesday morning after mild tremors shook the region. The earthquake, measured at 3.5 magnitude on the Richter scale, struck at around 29.93° north latitude and 80.07° east longitude, with a depth of 10 km.

The sudden tremors forced people to flee their homes in fear. However, according to reports from local tehsils, there was no loss of life or property. Disaster Management Officer Shikha Suyal appealed to the public to remain vigilant and inform authorities in case of emergencies.

This is not the first tremor to hit Uttarakhand in recent weeks. On December 10, an earthquake was felt in Pithoragarh’s Vyas Valley, near the China border in Dharchula tehsil. The tremor, though mild, reminded residents of the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity.

Following Tuesday’s tremors, the district administration has stepped up monitoring. Officials are keeping a close watch on vulnerable areas and urging residents to follow safety guidelines. The Disaster Management Department has emphasized preparedness, given the state’s new seismic classification.

In December 2025, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) issued a new seismic map that placed the entire state of Uttarakhand in Seismic Zone 6, the highest category for earthquake vulnerability. Previously, the state was divided between Zone 4 and Zone 5.

This new classification means that any future seismic event could cause uniform, high‑level damage across both plains and mountainous regions. Experts warn that the state must overhaul its infrastructure development policies and adopt stringent, unified building codes to withstand potential disasters.

Experts highlight that Uttarakhand’s location in the fragile Himalayan belt makes it highly prone to earthquakes. With the state now officially recognized as being in the highest seismic zone, authorities face the urgent task of strengthening disaster response systems, enforcing strict construction norms, and raising public awareness.

With the entire state now placed in Seismic Zone 6, disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure have become critical priorities. For residents, vigilance and adherence to safety measures remain the best defense against future tremors.