07 February 2005	Monday	27 Zilhaj 1425

MANSEHRA, Feb 6: Heavy rain, snowfall and an earthquake that jolted different parts of Mansehra and Batgram districts on Saturday afternoon and continued sending aftershocks till Sunday morning have sparked a wave of panick in the region.

A house collapsed in Paras village of Kaghan valley. No casualty was reported.

Syed Munir Hussain Shah, nazim of the Hangrai union council, told Dawn by phone from Baila Paras that Hangrai, Baila Paras, Kawai, Khanian and Pattandes areas of Kaghan valley were jolted by the quake on Saturday at about 3:30pm. It was followed by aftershocks at 3:45pm and 11:00pm, he said, adding that the shocks were again felt at 5:30 am and at 9:10 am on Sunday.

The nazim said that people slept outside their homes in below-zero temperature. Continuous snowfall added to their miseries. Snowfall between four and five feet was recorded in various parts of Kaghan valley.

Police officials on duty in Batgram, Battal and Shinkiari told this correspondent that most parts of the Nanthehar, Konsh and Bhogarmang valleys felt shocks of the quake, but no reports about any loss to life or property could reach because most of the roads were blocked due to heavy snowfall.

The Peshawar Seismic Centre could not be contacted because its offices were closed. Therefore, there was no information about the magnitude and epicentre of the quake.

An earthquake in February last year had killed 26 people and injured 40, whereas numerous houses, schools, roads and buildings were damaged.