Deadliest Earthquakes In India

India has a long history of devastating earthquakes. The fact that the Indian plate is constantly shifting and driving into Asia, is the primary reason behind most of the earthquakes experienced in the Indian subcontinent. Nearly 54% of the land in India is subjected to earthquakes. The UN and World Bank estimates that by 2050, nearly 200 million urban dwellers in India will be exposed to earthquakes and storms in India.

Here, we have compiled a list of the most deadly earthquakes experienced in India and the death toll figures represent only the casualties that happened within the territory of independent India.

1. 1905 Kangra Earthquake

The 1905 caused wanton death and destruction in the Kangra Valley of British India’s Punjab province (now Himachal Pradesh). The disaster happened on April 4, 1905, and killed over 20,000 people. Huge loss of property was also incurred when most structures in Kangra, Dharamshala, and Mcleodganj were damaged or leveled to the ground. About 53,000 domestic animals lost their lives. The hillside aqueducts that supplied water to the earthquake-affected area were also severely damaged.

2. 2001 Gujarat Earthquake

The 2001 Bhuj earthquake struck at 08:46 AM IST on January 26, 2001, India’s 52nd Republic Day. The earthquake that lasted for 2 minutes had its epicenter about 9 km to the south-southwest of the Chobari village in Gujarat, India. The earthquake claimed the lives of about 13,805 to 20,023 people, injured about 167,000 people, and damaged about 400,000 homes. Hundreds of villages were flattened and the city of Bhuj, located about 20 km from the epicenter, was completely destroyed. Several historical structures in the city were also damaged. In the capital city of Gujarat, Ahmedabad, nearly 50 skyscrapers collapsed killing many residents. Even the Bhuj Civil hospital was not spared by the earthquake. The earthquake can be labeled as the deadliest earthquake in India.

3. 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake 

The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake shook India as well as many countries along the coast of the Indian Ocean. It was the deadliest earthquake experienced in India and one of the world’s deadliest earthquakes. The epicenter of the earthquake was off the west coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The quake triggered massive tsunamis that lashed on the shores of the coastal areas where they destroyed and drowned all that came in the path. Over 10,136 people lost their lives in India as per official estimates. The total death toll from the disaster that affected 14 countries was 230,000–280,000.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands archipelago was the worst hit during this earthquake. It was reported that the Nicobar Islands lost nearly one-fifth of the population. Several islands were also submerged completely and the Trinket Island was divided into two. The earthquake also left thousands homeless in India and great damage to property was also incurred.

4. 1993 Latur Earthquake

On September 30, 1993, nearly 10,000 people lost their lives and over 30,000 more were injured when an earthquake jolted the Maharashtra state of India at 3:56 am local time. The districts of Osmanabad and Latur were the worst affected. Several villages were completely demolished. 

5. 1941 Andaman Islands Earthquake

Although this earthquake was one of the deadliest earthquakes in India, the timing of the disaster during the initial stages of the World War II led to the poor coverage of the immense death and destruction caused by the earthquake. The earthquake struck the Andaman Islands archipelago on June 26, 1941. It is reported that as many as 8,000 people lost their lives in this earthquake.

Below is a comprehensive list of the worst earthquakes in India with over 100 deaths in India: