Seismic Swarm Rocks Gujarat: Series of Tremors Jolt Rajkot and Saurashtra

New Delhi, january 09, 2026: A rapid succession of earthquakes has left residents across Gujarat’s Rajkot district in a state of high alert. Within a span of approximately 11 to 12 hours, the region was rattled by a series of tremors, forcing families to flee their homes in the early hours of Friday, January 9, 2026.

While the magnitudes remained in the “minor” category, the sheer frequency of the jolts—described by experts as an earthquake swarm—has caused widespread panic in the talukas of Upleta, Dhoraji, and Jetpur.

Timeline of the Tremors

The seismic activity began late Thursday night and intensified through Friday morning. According to the Institute of Seismological Research (ISR) and local authorities:

• Initial Shock: The first significant tremor, measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale, was recorded at 8:43 PM on Thursday, with its epicenter located near Upleta.
• The Early Morning Peak: The strongest jolt of the sequence occurred at 6:19 AM on Friday, measuring 3.8.
• Continuous Vibrations: Between 6:00 AM and noon on Friday, at least 11 additional shocks were recorded. While some were micro-tremors below 2.0 magnitude, at least seven were distinct enough to be felt by the public.
• Epicenter Details: The clusters were concentrated roughly 27 to 30 kilometers east-northeast of Upleta, at depths ranging from 6 to 13 kilometers.

Panic and Public Reaction

As the ground continued to vibrate intermittently, the psychological toll on the local population became evident. In many residential colonies, people abandoned their houses, fearing a larger “big one” might follow.

“We were just waking up when the 3.8 magnitude hit. The windows rattled so loudly we thought the glass would break. We didn’t wait; we just grabbed the kids and ran to the open ground,” said Ramesh Bhai, a resident of Jetpur.

In response to the escalating fear, local authorities in Dhoraji and Jetpur declared a precautionary holiday for schools. Many residents spent the better part of Friday morning in open fields or community parks, hesitant to return to multi-story buildings.

Official Response: No Damage Reported

Despite the frequency of the tremors, Rajkot Collector Om Prakash confirmed that there have been no reports of casualties or significant structural damage to property.

“The situation is being monitored closely by the district administration and the ISR,” the Collector stated. “We urge citizens to remain calm and avoid falling prey to rumors circulating on social media. While the frequency is unusual, these are minor tremors.”

Seismologists explain that this phenomenon is a “swarm”—a sequence of many small earthquakes occurring within a local area over a short period without a single identifiable mainshock. Such swarms are not uncommon in the Saurashtra region post-monsoon, though the intensity of this specific cluster has drawn particular attention.

Comparison of Recent Tremors (Jan 8–9, 2026)

Safety Measures for Residents

Authorities have reiterated standard safety protocols for those living in seismic zones:

1. Drop, Cover, and Hold On: If inside, stay there. Get under a sturdy table.
2. Evacuate Calmly: If you are in a high-rise, use stairs, not elevators.
3. Stay Away from Glass: Move away from windows, mirrors, and hanging objects.
4. Open Spaces: If outdoors, move away from power lines, trees, and old buildings.

The state government remains on standby, and emergency response teams (NDRF/SDRF) have been alerted as a standard operating procedure for the region.