Kashmir Shaken by 5.3 Magnitude Earthquake: What You Need to Know

Earthquake Hits Kashmir Valley

Srinagar: On Saturday, residents of the Kashmir Valley experienced tremors from an earthquake that registered 5.3 on the Richter scale, originating from Badakhshan province in Afghanistan.

According to disaster management officials, the quake struck at 8:24 AM, with its epicenter located 190 kilometers beneath the Earth's surface.

The coordinates for the earthquake were reported as Latitude 36.55 degrees North and Longitude 70.92 degrees East.

Kashmir Valley is known for its susceptibility to seismic activity.

Historically, the region has faced devastating earthquakes, including a catastrophic 7.6 magnitude quake on October 8, 2005, which resulted in over 80,000 fatalities.

The epicenter of that disaster was in Muzaffarabad, a town in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which was left in ruins.

The border town of Uri in Baramulla district also suffered extensive damage during the 2005 earthquake.

Kashmir's geological setting places it in a high-seismic zone, with a history of destructive earthquakes, including significant events in 1555 and 1885 that led to widespread devastation and loss of life.

The 1555 earthquake is estimated to have been around 7.6 in magnitude, causing towns to be destroyed and altering the course of the River Vesha.

Similarly, the Baramulla earthquake of May 30, 1885, measured 6.8 and resulted in over 3,000 deaths along with severe damage in the Srinagar and Baramulla areas.

An earlier earthquake in 1828 is also noted for causing considerable destruction, as evidenced by the damage to the Pandrethan Temple.

Experts in structural engineering and seismic safety have recommended the construction of earthquake-resistant buildings in Kashmir.

They have criticized the use of cement concrete for homes, as these structures are particularly vulnerable to earthquakes due to their inability to absorb shock, often leading to collapse.