A powerful 5.6-magnitude earthquake shook the region around Khuzdar, Balochistan, on Friday, according to reports from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). Seismic activity affected multiple districts across Sindh and Balochistan, including Sukkur, Jacobabad, Khuzdar, Jhal Magsi, Dadu, Naseerabad, and surrounding areas.
The tremors began with a first magnitude of 3.8 at around 10:52 AM in the city of Khuzdar, followed by a second significant quake measuring 5.6 at 11:30 AM. The PMD confirmed that the epicenter was located 86 kilometers northeast of Khuzdar and reported an earthquake depth of 33 kilometers.
Reuters also noted that another 5.5-magnitude quake struck Balochistan, with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) attributing it to their records. This magnitude-5.5 tremor occurred approximately 79 kilometers from Khuzdar and was at a depth of 10 kilometers.
Last month, an earthquake of magnitude 5.8 struck areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, causing one death and two injuries, as reported by local authorities. In January, a more severe quake with a Richter scale measurement of 6.1 hit Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Swat, Malakand, Muzaffarabad, Gilgit, Skardu, Abbottabad, and parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
These recent seismic activities have instilled a sense of unease among the population in the region, highlighting the ongoing vulnerability to natural disasters despite significant improvements in early warning systems. The affected areas are still reeling from past events, underscoring the need for continued preparedness and infrastructure resilience.