Fresh tremors rattle Kutch ahead of 2001 earthquake anniversary

Kutch | Gujarat — Just days before Gujarat marks the anniversary of the devastating 2001 Bhuj earthquake, fresh tremors jolted Kutch district, reviving painful memories and triggering panic among residents. A 4.1-magnitude earthquake struck the Khawda region early Saturday morning, forcing people in several villages to rush out of their homes in fear.

According to officials, the tremor was recorded at 1.22 am, with the epicentre located around 55 kilometres from Khawda. While there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to property, the sudden shaking was felt more intensely in rural pockets, where residents described moments of confusion and anxiety.

“The tremors were strong enough to wake people from sleep. Many villagers ran out of their houses fearing a bigger quake,” said a local resident from eastern Kutch. Authorities later confirmed that the situation was under control and urged people to remain calm.

The early-morning quake came close on the heels of multiple seismic events recorded over the past two days. On Friday evening, a 2.5-magnitude tremor struck near Khengarpar, around 19 kilometres from Rapar, at approximately 5.47 pm. Later the same day, another tremor measuring 2.7 on the Richter scale was recorded in Bhachau, further unsettling residents already on edge.

Officials from the district administration said the frequency of minor earthquakes in recent days is being closely monitored. “Kutch lies in a high seismic zone, and such low-to-moderate intensity tremors are not uncommon. There is no cause for panic at this stage,” a senior official said, appealing to citizens not to spread or believe rumours.

Seismic activity in Kutch has been persistent in recent months. In December last year alone, over 17 aftershocks were recorded following a 4.4-magnitude earthquake near Rapar. On December 26 and 27, four tremors — including one measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale — shook the district, creating scenes of panic as residents rushed outdoors.

The renewed tremors have inevitably brought back memories of the catastrophic 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck Gujarat on January 26, 2001. The Bhuj earthquake, with its epicentre near Chobari village in Bhachau taluka, remains one of India’s deadliest natural disasters. According to official estimates, over 20,000 lives were lost, more than 1.6 lakh people were injured, and nearly 28 million people across Gujarat were affected.