ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Severe tremors have been felt in the northern areas of Pakistan, including the capital Islamabad and its surroundings, causing panic among the citizens, and people came out of buildings chanting the Kalima Tayyaba.
According to the Seismological Center, the magnitude of the earthquake was recorded as 5.2 on the Richter scale.
According to the Seismological Center, the depth of the earthquake was 125 kilometers, while its epicenter was the border area of Tajikistan and China. Although the intensity of the earthquake was medium, its effects were felt over a wide area due to its depth.
According to initial reports, no loss of life or property has been reported, but the administration has been instructed to remain alert.
The northern part of Pakistan and Islamabad are geographically located in a very sensitive region in terms of earthquakes. The border areas of Tajikistan, the Hindu Kush, and China are often the epicenter of earthquakes because tectonic plates collide here.
In the past, after the devastating earthquakes of 2005 and 2015, earthquake-proofing rules were given importance in the construction of high-rise buildings in Islamabad, but the tremors coming from Tajikistan are a constant reminder of this danger.
According to experts, the depth of the earthquake is 125 kilometers, which is a positive aspect, because the greater the depth, the less damage it causes on the surface. If the 5.2 magnitude earthquake had occurred at a shallower depth, it could have damaged old buildings.
Since the trend of multi-storey buildings has increased in Islamabad in recent years, such tremors highlight the importance of structural and safety audits of these buildings.
In addition, there is a need to further improve the system for the timely exchange of seismic information between countries in the region so that alerts can be issued before any major threat.
