A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9 on the Richter scale hit several major cities in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) recently. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) confirmed that the epicenter of the earthquake was in the border area between Afghanistan and Tajikistan. The quake occurred at a depth of 94 kilometers below the surface.
Tremors were felt in many cities across both provinces. In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, people in Peshawar, Mardan, Swat, Kohat, Mansehra, Abbottabad, and Gilgit reported feeling the shaking. In Azad Kashmir, the city of Kotli was also affected. In Punjab, the quake was felt in cities including Lahore, Sahiwal, Okara, and Chiniot.
The earthquake caused panic among residents, and many people rushed out of their homes and buildings to stay safe. However, despite the strength of the quake and how widely it was felt, there have been no immediate reports of any injuries, deaths, or property damage.
Experts say that earthquakes are common in this region because of its location near the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The depth of this particular quake helped reduce its impact on the surface.
Authorities are still monitoring the situation, but so far, everything seems to be under control. Emergency teams were alerted as a precaution, and hospitals and rescue services were put on standby in case of any emergency.
Citizens are advised to stay alert and follow safety guidelines in case of aftershocks. It’s important to remain calm, avoid spreading panic, and trust official sources for updates.
