A mild earthquake measuring 4.7 on the Richter Scale rattled Peshawar and surrounding areas on Wednesday, causing brief panic among residents. The Seismological Centre confirmed that the tremors originated in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region at a depth of 211 kilometers. While no damage or casualties were reported, the quake served as a reminder of the region’s seismic vulnerability.
This marks the latest in a series of recent earthquakes affecting Pakistan. Just a month ago, a stronger 5.3-magnitude quake struck Islamabad, Mardan, Swat, and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), with its epicenter also located in the Hindu Kush at 230 kilometers deep. The frequent tremors highlight the geological instability caused by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Earlier in April, two more quakes—measuring 5.5 and 5.3 in magnitude—jolted northern Punjab, KP, Azad Kashmir, and Afghanistan. Cities like Attock, Chakwal, Peshawar, and Swabi reported noticeable shaking, raising concerns among locals. Experts emphasize that such seismic activity is not unusual for the region, given its position along a major fault line.
Meanwhile, Karachi has experienced an unusual surge in minor earthquakes, with nearly 30 tremors recorded in a short span. Meteorologists attribute this to the reactivation of the Landhi Fault Line after decades of dormancy. As seismic monitoring continues, authorities urge preparedness to mitigate risks from future quakes in these geologically active zones.