Mild 3.6-magnitude earthquake hits Mandi in Himachal; no damage reported

A mild earthquake measuring 3.6 on the Richter scale struck Mandi town in Himachal Pradesh on Saturday afternoon, with residents reporting brief tremors but authorities saying there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. The event was recorded at 3:49 pm IST on January 24, 2026, according to seismology officials.

The National Center for Seismology (NCS) posted details on X, noting the epicentre coordinates at latitude 31.50°N and longitude 77.01°E. Officials also indicated the quake originated at a shallow depth of about 5 km, which can sometimes make tremors feel sharper near the epicentre even when the magnitude is modest.

Local administration sources said they were monitoring the situation and collecting inputs from field staff. With no damage reported, the episode nevertheless served as a reminder of the region’s seismic sensitivity, particularly across the Himalayan belt where small-to-moderate tremors are not uncommon.

Residents in and around Mandi described a short jolt, with some stepping outdoors as a precaution. Emergency services were not put on high alert, but authorities urged people to follow standard safety guidance in the event of aftershocks—move away from unstable objects indoors, and avoid panic.

Seismology updates typically include magnitude, location and depth because these parameters help experts assess likely surface impact. Shallow quakes, even if low in magnitude, can be felt over a wider nearby area, while deeper ones may be less noticeable at the surface.

Officials did not indicate any unusual seismic sequence linked to the event, and the update focused on the basic measurements and the confirmation that no immediate harm had been reported. Disaster management agencies generally advise households in quake-prone areas to keep emergency contacts handy, secure heavy items, and review evacuation routes as routine preparedness.