Powerful earthquake of 5.9 intensity jolts many Pakistani cities

ISLAMABAD,  : A major earthquake jolted many parts of Pakistan including the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi along with many areas of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday morning.

Cities in Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir were also shaken by the early morning earthquake.

There were reports of some damage to the homes in katchi abadis (slum dwellers).

According to a review by the National Seismic Monitoring Centre in Islamabad, the earthquake occurred at 9.18 am.

According to the Seismic Centre, the epicenter of the earthquake was in the Hindukush mountainous region of Afghanistan and its intensity was recorded at 5.9 on the Richter Scale. Quake’s depth was 210 kilometres under the ground.

The KP cities which were jolted by the earthquake included Peshawar, Mardan, Charsadda, Malakand, Swat Mingora, Mansehra, Shinkiari, Lower Dir, Bajaur, Swabi, Takht Bhai, Khyber and Shangla.

Tremors were also felt in Jhelum, Kasur, Attock, Hafizabad and Sarai Alamgir.

In Azad Kashmir, people of Rawalakot and Neelum Valley rushed out of their homes after the earthquake shaken the cities.

Tremors were also felt in parts of the Indian capital New Delhi.

Only two days ago on Thursday, an earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale had jolted Swat and its adjoining areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gwadar in Balochistan.

People came out of their homes in panic and started reciting verses of the Holy Quran.

No loss of life and property was reported from any part of Gwadar due to earthquake.

According to National Seismic Monitoring Centre, Islamabad, the epicenter of the earthquake was located in the Koh Hindukush mountainous region at the depth of 120 kilometres.