Mild quake rattles Araku, Paderu; no damage reported

Residents across Alluri Sitarama Raju district, particularly in Araku Valley and Paderu, experienced tremors late on Saturday night, triggering panic among locals who rushed out of their homes.

The tremors struck around 11.31 p.m. and lasted for nearly eight seconds, with many people in the agency areas reporting sudden shaking of doors, windows, and household items.

“We felt the ground shake for a few seconds and immediately ran बाहर. It was quite frightening as it happened suddenly at night,” said a resident of Araku Valley.

According to the National Center for Seismology, the tremors were caused by a 4.4-magnitude earthquake with its epicentre near Jeypore in the Koraput district.

Officials said the quake occurred at a shallow depth of 5 km, which amplified the intensity of the vibrations across parts of North Andhra, including the hilly tribal belts.

“The shallow depth of the earthquake made the tremors more noticeable in nearby regions. However, the magnitude was moderate and not expected to cause major damage,” an official from the seismology department said.

Despite the panic, there were no immediate reports of damage to property or casualties. Local authorities said the situation remained under control.

“We have not received any reports of structural damage or injuries so far. Our teams are on alert and monitoring the situation closely,” a district official in Paderu stated.

Disaster management teams have been put on standby as a precautionary measure. However, officials confirmed that no aftershocks had been recorded till early Sunday morning.

Authorities have advised residents to remain calm but vigilant and to follow safety protocols in case of any further seismic activity.