5.8 magnitude earthquake jolts parts of country

Published January 5, 2023
This image shows citizens standing outside after feeling earthquake tremors in Mansehra. — DawnNewsTV
This image shows citizens standing outside after feeling earthquake tremors in Mansehra. — DawnNewsTV

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake jolted parts of the country on Thursday, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

The PMD’s National Seismic Monitoring Centre said the earthquake struck at 7:25pm in the Hindu Kush Region, Afghanistan at a depth of 173km. It had a longitude of 70.60 East and a latitude of 36.53 North.

However, the US Geological Survey said that the magnitude of the earthquake was 5.9 and it had struck 43km SSW of Jurm, Afghanistan.

DawnNewsTV reported that tremors were felt in Islamabad and Peshawar as well as in several other cities of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to Reuters, strong shaking was also felt in parts of Afghanistan, including the capital, Kabul, and as far away as New Delhi.

A day earlier, an earthquake measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale hit Lahore and other cities of Punjab around 3:04pm (PST).

The National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC) confirmed that tremors were felt in Lahore, Sheikhupura, Muridke, Farooqabad, Gujranwala, Sharaqpur, Jaranwala and other areas of Punjab. The epicentre of the earthquake was 20km away from Sheikhupura, it said.

According to some of the Lahore residents, they heard a humming sound before the earthquake. However, no casualty was reported.


Additional input from Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...
Saudi FM’s visit
Updated 17 Apr, 2024

Saudi FM’s visit

The government of Shehbaz Sharif will have to manage a delicate balancing act with Pakistan’s traditional Saudi allies and its Iranian neighbours.
Dharna inquiry
17 Apr, 2024

Dharna inquiry

THE Supreme Court-sanctioned inquiry into the infamous Faizabad dharna of 2017 has turned out to be a damp squib. A...
Future energy
17 Apr, 2024

Future energy

PRIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif’s recent directive to the energy sector to curtail Pakistan’s staggering $27bn oil...