Tremors felt in parts of India as quake hits Afghanistan
KABUL, March 21, 2023
Strong tremors were felt in Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi-NCR region, Uttarakhand, parts of Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday night after a severe earthquake of magnitude 6.5 on Richter scale hit the Hindukush region along Afghanistan-Tajikistan border, said media reports.
The earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 6.5 struck around 10:17 pm with its epicentre near Jurm, which is about 300 kms north of Kabul, the US Geological Survey said.
Afghanistan is one of the most seismically active intercontinental regions in the world.
According to the Geological Survey, the country sits on the edge of the Eurasian tectonic plate making it more vulnerable to earthquakes. The geological location makes southern Afghanistan, Pakistan and northern India more prone to earthquakes, it added.
In Delhi and adjoining areas people ran out of their homes and offices as the buildings started shaking. Pictures and videos shared on social media showed people on the streets. The tremors also caused alarm in other cities like Jaipur, reported Indian Express.
People fled out of their homes in panic and took to social media to share the moment. Many said that the tremors last for several seconds and it was quite strong.
Tremors were also felt in Pakistan as people in Islamabad and other cities got out of their homes out of fear.
Residents in the Islamabad fled their homes as walls started swaying. Pakistan's meteorological office said the earthquake was a magnitude 7.7, reported Times of India.
Fortunately, there have been no reports of casualties or property damage thus far.
As per Afghan media, the tremors of the earthquake were felt in neighbouring countries like Turkmenistan, India, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, China and Kyrgyzstan.
Another 6.5 magnitude earthquake jolted the nation a few minutes later. The epicentre this time was near the Pakistan, India and Tajikistan border, it added.
