An earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale struck Afghanistan on Saturday afternoon, sending tremors across Pakistan and parts of northern India. The seismic activity was felt in regions including Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and the Delhi-NCR area.
In Pakistan, strong tremors were reported in cities such as Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, and several areas within the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region.
According to the National Center for Seismology, the quake originated at a depth of 130 kilometers, with the epicentre located in Afghanistan. The agency shared precise coordinates on social media: “EQ of M: 5.8, On: 19/04/2025 12:17:53 IST, Lat: 36.10 N, Long: 71.20 E, Depth: 130 Km, Location: Afghanistan.”
The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) further reported that the quake affected areas near the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border. As of now, no reports of injuries or property damage have emerged.
Eyewitnesses in northern India described the brief but noticeable tremors. “I felt the tremor. I was in the office when my chair shook,” a Srinagar resident said.
Earlier the same day, a smaller earthquake measuring 2.9 struck Assam’s Nagaon at 7:38 a.m. The tremor originated at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, according to seismologists.
Earthquakes are not uncommon in the region. Just two months earlier, a 4.0 magnitude earthquake hit Delhi at 5:36 a.m., prompting panic among residents.
The epicentre was in Dhaula Kuan in southwest Delhi, and although the tremor lasted only a few seconds, it was strongly felt across the National Capital Region due to its shallow depth of just 5 kilometers. Many people reported hearing rumbling sounds before and during the quake.
Delhi is particularly vulnerable to seismic activity as it lies in seismic zone 4, classified as a high damage risk area. Experts have long warned about the structural fragility of the capital, with over 60 per cent of its buildings more than 20 years old and approximately 75 per cent of constructions in municipal zones failing to adhere to building regulations. This includes nearly 1,800 unauthorised colonies that pose significant risks during seismic events.
The city is surrounded by several active fault lines, such as the Mathura Fault and the Sohna Fault, which increase the risk of tremors. More critically, Delhi’s proximity to the Himalayas—formed by the ongoing collision between tectonic plates—adds to the geological instability of the region.
While earthquakes cannot be predicted, experts continue to urge governments and urban planners to prioritise structural resilience, strict enforcement of building codes, and community awareness as essential steps in minimising damage and saving lives during future seismic events.
Also Read: Magnitude 5.0 earthquake hits Nepal, tremors in north India
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