Srinagar: A 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan on Saturday afternoon, sending tremors across parts of Jammu and Kashmir and triggering panic among residents.
According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the earthquake occurred at 12:17 PM IST, with its epicenter located in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan at a depth of 130 kilometers.
The tremors were felt in several parts of the Kashmir Valley, including Srinagar, Baramulla, Anantnag, and Kupwara. However, there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to property.
Earthquakes originating in the Hindu Kush region are known to affect northern India, including Jammu and Kashmir, due to the region’s complex tectonic activity.
Meanwhile, Principal Secretary, Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction, today chaired a review meeting regarding ‘Earthquake Risk Reduction and Management in Jammu and Kashmir’ here at Civil Secretariat.
Experts and faculty members from various institutes including University of Kashmir, University of Jammu, NIT Srinagar, IIT Jammu, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora and representatives of Administrative Departments like Housing & Urban Development, Health & Medical Education Department, School education, Rural development department, Divisional and District management authorities and SDRF attended the meeting.
The meeting had a comprehensive review of preparedness and mitigation efforts undertaken by different departments, district disaster management authorities and response forces.