ISLAMABAD: An earthquake measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale jolted major cities in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Epicenter and Depth
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the epicenter was located in the border region between Afghanistan and Tajikistan, with a depth of 94 kilometers.
Affected Areas
Tremors were felt in:
- KP: Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, Lower Dir, Mansehra, Haripur, Abbottabad, Swabi, Swat
- Punjab: Sargodha, Chiniot, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Okara, Sahiwal, Pindi Bhattian, Toba Tek Singh
- Other regions: Kotli (Azad Kashmir), Gilgit, and surrounding areas
No immediate reports of damage or casualties were recorded.
Also Read: Strong Earthquake Predicted in Pakistan Next Week
Earlier Earthquake on April 12
On April 12, an earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale jolted Islamabad and several cities in KP.
Details of the April 12 Quake
- Reported by: National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC)
- Epicenter: Northwest of Rawalpindi at a depth of 12 kilometers
- Affected areas:
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- KP: Swat, Mansehra, Swabi, Mardan, Lakki Marwat, Karak
- Punjab: Chiniot, Mianwali, Hafizabad, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Sangla Hill, Safdarabad, Pindi Bhattian, Attock
- Islamabad & Rawalpindi
Public Reaction & Aftermath
- People rushed out of their homes in panic, reciting Kalma-e-Tayyaba.
- Fortunately, no loss of life or property was reported.
Context: Devastating Earthquake in Myanmar
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake, one of Myanmar’s strongest in a century, recently struck a region home to 28 million people. The disaster caused:
- Collapse of hospitals and buildings
- Widespread destruction of communities
- Severe shortages of food, water, and shelter
- Death toll surpassing 3,000
- Rising risks of disease due to heat and rains