A powerful earthquake shook parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India on Tuesday, causing panic among millions of people. The quake had a magnitude of 6.6 and its epicenter was located near the border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan, according to the US Geological Survey.
The tremors were felt as far away as New Delhi, Islamabad, and Kabul, where buildings swayed and people rushed out of their homes and offices. There were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage from the quake, which lasted for several seconds.
This is not the first time that this region has experienced a strong earthquake. In October 2015, a 7.5-magnitude quake killed more than 300 people and injured thousands more in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The area lies on a major fault line where the Indian subcontinent collides with the Eurasian plate.
Earthquakes pose a serious threat to millions of people living in densely populated cities with poor infrastructure and weak building codes. Many houses are made of mud bricks or concrete blocks that can easily collapse under seismic stress.
The governments of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India have been trying to improve their disaster preparedness and response capabilities in recent years, but they still face many challenges such as a lack of resources, coordination, and public awareness.
Experts warn that more powerful earthquakes are possible in the future as tectonic plates continue to move and accumulate strain. They urge people to follow safety guidelines such as staying indoors during an earthquake, avoiding windows and heavy objects, and having an emergency kit ready.
Source : https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/21/powerful-earthquake-felt-in-afghanistan-and-pakistan