5.4 magnitude earthquake jolts parts of Pakistan

Published August 29, 2024
This screengrab shows the epicentre in Afghanistan of a 5.4 magnitude earthquake that occurred on Aug 29, 2024. — USGS
This screengrab shows the epicentre in Afghanistan of a 5.4 magnitude earthquake that occurred on Aug 29, 2024. — USGS

A 5.4-magnitude earthquake was felt in parts of Pakistan, mostly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Thursday.

The quake had a magnitude of 5.4 and occurred at 5:56am UTC (10:56am Pakistan time), the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said.

The earthquake’s epicentre was located in the Hindu Kush Region in Afghanistan and it had a depth of 215 kilometres, the PMD website stated.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) stated the quake’s epicentre was 28km west-southwest of Afghanistan’s Ishkashim town.

According to Dawn News, the tremors were felt across various cities of KP, including Mardan, Malakand, Hangu, Buner, Shangla, Dir and Charsadda.

Jolts were also felt in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore, Dawn News reported.

No loss of life has been reported as of yet.

In KP’s Shangla district, Rescue 1122 staff was put on high alert after the tremors were felt.

“No emergency call has been received by the Rescue 1122 control room so far,” the service in Shangla said in a statement.

 People gather outside their homes in Multan after tremors of a 5.4-magnitude quake were felt on Aug 29, 2024. — DawnNewsTV
People gather outside their homes in Multan after tremors of a 5.4-magnitude quake were felt on Aug 29, 2024. — DawnNewsTV

In Punjab, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said the quake was felt in several cities, including Lahore, Multan, Islamabad, Gujranwala and Sargodha.

Quoting initial reports, the PDMA statement said the authority had not yet received any reports of loss of life or property.

“The entire Punjab administration is busy checking buildings. The staff and machinery have been put on alert to deal with the earthquake’s aftershocks,” the statement quoted the PDMA director-general as saying.

Opinion

Editorial

Going dry
Updated 07 Apr, 2025

Going dry

Authorities should refrain from undertaking any water scheme that infringes on rights of any federating unit to avoid more controversies.
Afghan return
07 Apr, 2025

Afghan return

AS expected, the government of Pakistan is moving ahead with its plan to forcibly repatriate Afghan Citizenship Card...
Hurting women
07 Apr, 2025

Hurting women

MONTH after month, the figures of crimes against women in the country indicate that our society is close to...
Not cricket
Updated 06 Apr, 2025

Not cricket

It is high time that the PCB sets things right; even if it demands a complete overhaul of the system.
Balochistan deadlock
Updated 06 Apr, 2025

Balochistan deadlock

Akhtar Mengal’s demands to release women activists should seriously be considered.
Escalating brutality
Updated 06 Apr, 2025

Escalating brutality

The world’s patience is running out. Israel must be held accountable under international law for war crimes.