A 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck Islamabad and several districts of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Monday, with no immediate reports of casualties or property damage, according to officials.
Epicenter and Depth
According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the earthquake's epicenter was in the Hindu Kush region at a depth of 215 kilometers. Tremors were felt in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Mianwali, Multan, the Potohar region, and other districts of Punjab.
Response and Monitoring
The PDMA director general stated that district administrations were inspecting buildings for damage. The provincial control room and district emergency operation centers across Punjab remained active around the clock. Residents were advised to report any earthquake-related damage to the PDMA helpline at 1129.
Tremors in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) posted on X that a 5.4-magnitude earthquake was recorded, with tremors felt in Islamabad and several K-P districts. Reports of tremors came from Peshawar, Mansehra, Swat, Battagram, and Abbottabad, prompting residents to rush out of their homes. Rescue 1122 K-P spokesperson Bilal Ahmed Faizi said the emergency service was on high alert and urged the public to contact Rescue 1122 in case of emergency.
Recent Seismic Activity
Last month, a 5.3-magnitude earthquake originating in the Hindu Kush region was felt across parts of K-P, including Swat, Chitral, Upper and Lower Dir, Shangla, Buner, and Malakand. Earlier, strong tremors were felt in Lahore and several Punjab districts after a 4.9-magnitude quake, according to the US Geological Survey, with its epicenter in India, 37 kilometers from Kyelang.
Geological Context
The Hindu Kush region, where many earthquakes affecting Pakistan originate, lies near the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. As the Indian plate pushes northward under the Eurasian plate, the resulting friction and pressure often trigger moderate to strong earthquakes. Seismic activity is common in this region, but the depth of the quake often determines how strongly it is felt on the surface.
