Significant 5.8 Magnitude Quake Hits Afghanistan; Shaking Felt in Delhi-NCR and J&K
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Synopsis
A strong earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale struck Afghanistan on April 19, 2025, at 12:17 PM IST, with tremors felt in northern India, including Delhi-NCR and Jammu & Kashmir. Authorities are monitoring the situation, though damage reports are pending.
Key Takeaways
- 5.8 magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan.
- Tremors felt in Delhi-NCR and Jammu & Kashmir.
- No immediate reports of damage or injuries.
- UNOCHA highlights Afghanistan's vulnerability to natural hazards.
- Hindu Kush region known for seismic activity.
New Delhi, April 19 (NationPress) A strong earthquake recorded at 5.8 on the Richter scale hit Afghanistan on Saturday at 12:17 pm IST, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS).
The quake’s epicenter was situated at 36.10 degrees North latitude and 71.20 degrees East longitude, with a depth of 130 kilometers. Tremors were felt in several northern parts of India, notably in Jammu & Kashmir and the Delhi-NCR region.
No immediate reports of damages or injuries have surfaced, but authorities are monitoring the situation closely.
The NCS confirmed this seismic event via a post on the social media platform X.
"EQ of M: 5.8, On: 19/04/2025 12:17:53 IST, Lat: 36.10 N, Long: 71.20 E, Depth: 130 Km, Location: Afghanistan," NCS stated in a post on X.
This earthquake follows a similar event earlier in the week, when a 5.6 magnitude quake was reported in Afghanistan, with its epicenter approximately 164 km east of Baghlan.
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) initially classified the quake as 6.4 in magnitude but later adjusted it to 5.6.
Additionally, the Kishtwar region of Jammu & Kashmir experienced a minor quake measuring 2.4 on the Richter scale on Wednesday morning at around 5:14 AM IST.
This tremor occurred at a shallow depth of 5 kilometers.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) emphasizes that Afghanistan is highly vulnerable to natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, and seasonal floods.
UNOCHA also pointed out that the ongoing seismic activity poses significant challenges to already fragile communities, which have faced years of conflict and underdevelopment.
These conditions have considerably weakened their ability to cope with multiple crises simultaneously. According to the Red Cross, Afghanistan has a longstanding history of powerful earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush region, known for its intense geological activity and frequent tremors.
The country is situated along multiple major fault lines where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge. One of these fault lines runs directly through Herat, heightening the risk of seismic events in the area.
