A strong tremor with a magnitude of 5.3 struck parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) over the weekend, causing minimal disruption and sparing lives or property as expected.
The earthquake hit Malakand, Shangla, Buner, and surrounding regions on Saturday, according to reports from the Seismological Centre. The quake registered a depth of 216 kilometres in the Hindu Kush mountain range, generating seismic activity that prompted residents to come out of their homes for prayer instead of evacuation.
Reports indicate that citizens recited the Kalima Tayyaba in response to the earthquake. Locals were quick to respond, with no casualties or significant property damage reported.
This isn’t the first time seismic activities have been felt; over the last few days, similarly strong tremors had also shaken Mansehra, Battagram, Swat, Mardan, Swabi, Peshawar, Bajaur, and Chitral areas. A magnitude 5.6 earthquake occurred a few days prior.
Experts from the Seismological Centre noted that while the epicenter was in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush mountain range, there were no casualties as of yet. This latest event marks continued seismic activity within a relatively small geographical area, raising concerns about the region’s geological stability and prompting further monitoring efforts.
The immediate aftermath has been largely uneventful, underscoring the importance of public safety preparedness and early warning systems in mitigating potential impacts from such natural phenomena.