An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter Scale struck Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, with its epicenter located in Tajikistan. The tremors were felt in the region, but fortunately, there have been no reports of casualties or property damage. Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the local Meteorological Department, confirmed the earthquake occurrence at 2.44 a.m.
People in parts of Kashmir’s Ganderbal district were awakened by the sound of kitchen utensils rattling due to the earthquake. Kashmir, being in a seismically active zone, has a history of devastating earthquakes. In 2005, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake near Muzaffarabad, Pakistan, caused significant destruction in Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in over 80,000 fatalities.
The Kashmir Valley has experienced several high-magnitude earthquakes in the past, with devastating consequences. The region’s history includes earthquakes such as the 1885 Baramulla earthquake, which claimed thousands of lives and caused severe damage. Kashmir remains vulnerable to seismic activities due to its geographical location.
