A 5.4 magnitude earthquake jolted Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and several districts of Punjab on Monday, causing panic among residents as tremors were felt across a large part of the country. According to the seismological authorities, the earthquake’s epicenter was located in the Hindu Kush mountain range of Afghanistan and occurred at a depth of 215 kilometres.
The earthquake was experienced in numerous districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, Swat, Buner, Hangu, Shangla, Kohat, Mohmand, Bajaur, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Charsadda, Swabi, and Dera Ismail Khan. Residents in Tank, Upper South Waziristan, Lower South Waziristan, and Wana also reported feeling the tremors.
In Punjab, the earthquake was felt in Multan and nearby areas, while people in Islamabad and Rawalpindi rushed out of homes and offices as the ground shook for a few seconds. Although the tremors created fear among citizens, authorities confirmed that there were no immediate reports of casualties, injuries, or property damage.
Emergency officials advised people to remain calm and contact Rescue 1122 in case of any emergency situation. Rescue teams remained on alert to respond to any incident resulting from the earthquake.
Pakistan frequently experiences seismic activity because it is situated on the boundary between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The movement of these tectonic plates makes the country vulnerable to earthquakes of varying intensity. Over the years, Pakistan has witnessed several devastating earthquakes that caused significant loss of life and infrastructure damage.
Experts recommend that people living in earthquake prone areas stay informed about safety procedures, identify safe spots inside their homes and workplaces, and keep emergency supplies ready. Monday’s earthquake served as another reminder of the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters and the importance of preparedness and effective emergency response systems.
