Earthquake jolts Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, shaking various urban areas; no fatalities reported
Recent Earthquakes Rock Northern Pakistan
Northern Pakistan has been hit by a series of tremors in recent months, the latest being a 5.1-5.5 magnitude earthquake on August 1-2, 2025. The quake was felt across multiple cities, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), with no casualties reported so far.
The cause of these earthquakes can be traced back to the tectonic activity in the Hindu Kush seismic zone, where the Indian and Eurasian plates interact. This region is known for producing intermediate-depth earthquakes due to subduction processes.
The ongoing convergence of the Indian Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate creates stress accumulation, which is released as earthquakes in the region, particularly near the Hindu Kush mountains where the quakes originate at considerable depths, around 114 km for the recent tremor.
The effects of these earthquakes have been widespread, disrupting daily life, causing fear among residents, shaking buildings, and impacting many northern cities. Despite the intensity, no significant casualties or major structural damages have been reported in the recent events.
Pakistan, situated on a major fault line between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, is prone to earthquakes, especially in the north. In fact, tremors were also reported in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Azad Kashmir, Charsadda, Karak, Murree, Gujranwala, and surrounding areas.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department is monitoring the situation regarding the earthquake and any potential after effects. The Emergency Operations Centre of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) is in contact with all district administrations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The PDMA has advised citizens to call the helpline 1700 in case of any emergency related to the earthquake.
The earthquake occurred early on Friday at 2:03am, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department's National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC) in Islamabad. The Pakistan Meteorological Department is also reporting heavy rain in parts of Islamabad and Murree, accompanied by thunder and lightning.
It's important to note that the region remains at high risk due to its tectonic setting. Seismologists advise preparedness and improved early warning systems, though precise timing or magnitude predictions remain challenging given current scientific limitations.
In the past few months, northern Pakistan has experienced several earthquakes. On June 11, a 4.7-magnitude quake hit Peshawar, with a deep epicentre in the Hindu Kush mountains. A stronger 5.3 quake had shaken Islamabad and several KP districts, including Mardan, Swat, Nowshera, Swabi, and North Waziristan, prior to June 11.
As we move forward, it's crucial for citizens to stay vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities. While the exact timing and magnitude of future earthquakes cannot be predicted with certainty, preparedness and early warning systems can help minimize potential harm.
[1] Geo TV [2] Dawn [3] The Express Tribune [4] The News International
- The recent series of earthquakes in northern Pakistan has raised concerns among the general public, causing unease in major cities such as Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
- The national weather department of Pakistan is keeping a close eye on the ongoing seismic activity in the Hindu Kush seismic zone, where the Indian and Eurasian plates interact, and is encouraging citizens to stay alert and prepared.
- In light of the recent events, many national news outlets such as Geo TV, Dawn, The Express Tribune, and The News International, are actively reporting on the situation in Afghanistan, which shares borders with Pakistan and is also vulnerable to earthquakes.
- As Pakistanis continue to bear the brunt of earthquakes, we must look towards improved national measures for preparedness and early warning systems to protect our citizens from potential harm in the future.
