An earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale struck various regions of Pakistan on Tuesday afternoon, causing widespread panic and fear.
Tremors from the quake were distinctly felt in cities including Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar. The sudden jolts led to people quickly evacuating their offices and residences as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
Initial reports indicate that the tremors were felt in Abbottabad, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Swat, Hafizabad, and even as far as Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Bagh and DhirKot regions.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), responsible for monitoring and reporting seismic activity in the country, provided more detailed information about the earthquake.
The quake struck at 1:04 pm local time, originating from a depth of just 10 kilometers, relatively shallow for seismic activity, which can often intensify the shaking experienced at the surface.
According to the PMD, the earthquake’s epicenter was in Eastern Kashmir. The coordinates indicated a longitude of 75.97 E and a latitude of 33.32 N.
This information is crucial for seismologists to further understand the underlying tectonic activity and to anticipate potential aftershocks or future seismic events in the region.
There have been no immediate reports of significant damage or casualties, but relevant authorities remain alert.