Strong Earthquake Jolts Several Parts of Pakistan, Felt in KP, Punjab, and Neighboring Countries
Several regions of Pakistan were rattled by a powerful earthquake early Wednesday morning, sending waves of panic across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and upper Punjab. According to initial reports, the tremors were felt in Peshawar, Landikotal, Mansehra, Nowshera, Upper Dir, Attock, Swat, Malakand, Lahore, the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Gujrat, Sialkot, and several other cities.
The earthquake’s effects were not limited to Pakistan. Tremors were also reported in parts of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, indicating a widespread seismic disturbance.
Read More: Pakistan struck by twin earthquakes
Residents across affected regions took to social media to report the shaking, with many describing the tremors as intense and lasting several seconds.
Earthquake Intensity and Epicenter
According to Pakistan’s National Seismological Centre in Islamabad, the quake measured 5.9 on the Richter scale, with its epicenter located in the Hindukush mountain range in Afghanistan. The quake struck at a depth of 89 kilometers.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a slightly lower magnitude of 5.6, with the epicenter situated approximately 69 kilometers from Parun, a town in Afghanistan’s Nuristan province.
April 12: Twin Earthquakes Stir Panic in Pakistan
Earlier this month, on April 12, two successive earthquakes shook Pakistan within an hour, alarming residents across several cities.
- The first tremor, recorded at 11:54 AM, had a magnitude of 4.3 on the Richter scale. It originated near the Pak-Afghan-Tajikistan border at a depth of 88 kilometers, and was primarily felt in Swat and surrounding areas of KP.
- Just 36 minutes later, at 12:30 PM, a second and stronger quake struck with a magnitude of 5.5. This tremor had a shallow depth of just 12 kilometers and was centered about 60 kilometers from Rawalpindi.
The second quake was felt across a wider region, including Islamabad, Gujar Khan, Haripur, Abbottabad, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Jhang, Taxila, Wah Cantt, and neighboring areas.
Authorities on High Alert
Following the recent seismic activity, authorities in Punjab and KP have been placed on high alert to monitor for potential aftershocks and ensure public safety. Emergency response teams have been instructed to stay vigilant and assist citizens in case of any further tremors.
