Earthquake Hits Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Panics Residents

A moderate intensity earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale struck parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad on Wednesday evening, causing widespread panic among residents. The National Seismic Monitoring Centre reported that the epicenter of the earthquake was located in the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border region, at a depth of 220 kilometers.

The earthquake's impact was felt in various regions, including Nowshera, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Malakand, Kohat, Buner, Swat, Swabi, and Landi Kotal. Although the quake's magnitude was significant, thankfully, there were no reported casualties or damage to property. This was the second time in recent weeks that earthquake tremors were felt in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad, following a 5.1-magnitude earthquake that struck Afghanistan's Badakhshan region on November 13, 2024.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed that the earlier quake's epicenter was located 37 kilometers west-southwest of the Ishkashim town at a depth of 220.7 kilometers. The earlier quake resulted in no reported casualties, according to the reports. On Wednesday, people in Peshawar and its surrounding areas, as well as Islamabad, evacuated buildings as soon as they felt the tremors, showing their panic.

The recent earthquake serves as a stark reminder of the region's vulnerability to seismic activity. While the quake's impact was relatively minimal this time, it highlights the importance of being prepared for such events. The residents and authorities remain on high alert in the affected areas, bracing for potential aftershocks and natural disasters in the region.