Massive Earthquake Jolts Afghanistan, Tremors Felt in India, Pakistan, Several Other Countries
Breaking News: Massive Earthquake Jolts Afghanistan, Tremors Felt in India, Pakistan, Several Other Countries
At approximately 10:21 PM (Indian standard Time) on March 21, 2023, a massive earthquake with a magnitude of 6.5 jolted Afghanistan, with tremors felt in India, Pakistan, and several other countries. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter of the earthquake was in the Hindu Kush region, which is known for its seismic activity. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 200 kilometers, which is quite deep, and thus, the impact of the earthquake was felt in distant regions.
The earthquake has caused significant damage to property and infrastructure in Afghanistan, particularly in the capital city of Kabul. Reports suggest that several buildings have collapsed, and there have been casualties as well. The earthquake has also disrupted communication lines in the region, making it difficult to assess the full extent of the damage.
Impact on India and Pakistan
The earthquake has also been felt in several parts of India and Pakistan. In India, the tremors were felt in the northern states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttarakhand. In Pakistan, the tremors were felt in the northern areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad. While there have been no reports of casualties in India and Pakistan so far, the earthquake has caused panic among the people.
Precautionary Measures
In the wake of the earthquake, several precautionary measures have been taken by the governments of Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan. The Indian government has advised people to stay calm and avoid panicking. It has also issued guidelines on what to do during an earthquake, such as taking cover under a sturdy piece of furniture and staying away from windows and glass panes.
The Pakistan government has also issued similar guidelines and has activated its disaster management system to respond to any emergency situation that may arise due to the earthquake. The Afghan government has urged people to stay indoors and avoid going out unless absolutely necessary.
The earthquake that jolted Afghanistan and was felt in India, Pakistan, and several other countries, has caused significant damage and has disrupted communication lines in the region. The impact of the earthquake is still being assessed, and it is too early to determine the full extent of the damage caused. However, the governments of the affected countries have taken precautionary measures to ensure the safety of their citizens.
More details
Link to USGS page – https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us7000jln7/executive