A 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region today at around 9:50 pm, sending tremors across Delhi-NCR and several parts of North India.
The epicenter of the quake was located in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province, at a depth of 150 km. Residents in high-rise buildings reported shaking that lasted for a few seconds, with tremors felt in cities including Noida, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Poonch, Srinagar, and Udhampur.
Reports indicate that the intensity of the tremors was significant enough to cause fans and beds in people’s homes to shake. Baldev Chand, a resident of Delhi, described the experience, saying, “I felt a strong jolt which lasted for a few seconds.” Another user from Delhi noted, “The intensity of the tremors was so high that fans and beds in people’s homes began to shake.”
Despite the noticeable shaking, no immediate reports of damage or casualties have emerged so far. The earthquake, categorized as moderate, is capable of causing noticeable shaking across large distances, which explains the widespread reports from various cities.
Tremors were also felt in several cities across Pakistan, including Islamabad and Peshawar, highlighting the regional impact of the quake. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has previously noted that Afghanistan remains extremely vulnerable to natural disasters, a reality underscored by this latest seismic event.
Afghanistan frequently experiences earthquakes due to its location along the collision zone between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making such occurrences relatively common. Vaishali Poddar, another resident, remarked, “I’ve never felt tremors this strong before,” reflecting the anxiety that such events can provoke among the population.
As authorities assess the situation, details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential aftershocks or further impacts. The region’s geological characteristics mean that residents are often on alert for such natural phenomena, and today’s earthquake serves as a reminder of the ongoing risks they face.
