Mild Earthquake Jolts Sivakasi

In Sivakasi and most of the towns in Virudhunagar District, a light earthquake with a magnitude of approximately 3.0 on the Richter scale struck near Sivakasi on the evening of Thursday, January 29, 2026, prompting surprise and concern among local residents. According to seismic monitors, the quake occurred around 9:06 PM (IST) at a shallow depth of about 9.7 km just west of Sivakasi. The tremor was felt across several towns and villages in Virudhunagar district, including Sivakasi, Srivilliputhur, Sattur, Elayirampannai, Seithur, Thiruthangal, Krishnan Kovil, and nearby areas.

Residents reported:
Light shaking of buildings and homes, causing people to rush outside in fear.
Household items like photos, clocks, and kitchenware falling off shelves in some places.
A few locals described hearing a rumbling sound prior to the ground shaking.

Despite the initial alarm, no major structural damage, injuries, or casualties have been reported. Officials monitoring seismic activity have reassured the public that the earthquake was mild and within the range of minor tremors often recorded in the region. Local authorities and disaster management officials have advised residents to stay calm and exercise standard safety precautions during minor tremors. They also encouraged people to continue monitoring verified seismic updates and avoid spreading misinformation. Earthquakes in Tamil Nadu are relatively uncommon and typically low in magnitude when they occur. Most tremors recorded in the state in recent years have been mild, with magnitudes rarely exceeding 3.0–3.5 on the Richter scale. Rajan a Sivakasian reported that India Today Tamil magazine had warned 25 years ago that Sivakasi and Thiruthangal are located in an earthquake-prone belt in the Indian map, and the warning has now come true.