An earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale jolted parts of the subcontinent on Saturday afternoon, with its epicentre located in Pakistan. Tremors were felt in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), adding to the growing concerns about the seismic sensitivity of the region.
According to Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the Meteorological Department, the quake occurred at 1:00:55 PM IST, with coordinates placing it at latitude 33.63°N and longitude 72.46°E — roughly 10 km beneath the Earth’s surface. “The epicentre was in Pakistan, and mild tremors were experienced across J&K,” he confirmed.
The Kashmir Valley, geologically speaking, lies in a high-risk earthquake zone. This vulnerability has been underscored repeatedly through history, most notably by the devastating earthquake of October 8, 2005. That 7.6 magnitude quake struck with its epicentre in Muzaffarabad, located in Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PoK), and resulted in widespread destruction.
The 2005 earthquake stands as one of the deadliest natural disasters of the 21st century. It occurred early in the morning at 8:50 AM, shaking not just the Indian subcontinent but also parts of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and the Xinjiang region of China.
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The scale of devastation was staggering: over 80,000 people lost their lives on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC). Official figures from Pakistan estimate the death toll between 73,276 and 87,350, though some reports suggest the number may have exceeded 100,000.
In India, 1,360 people were killed, with more than 6,000 injured. The earthquake also claimed four lives in Afghanistan. In total, around 138,000 people sustained injuries, and a staggering 3.5 million were rendered homeless.
What made the 2005 quake particularly catastrophic was the intense geological upthrust — a powerful release of stress within the Earth’s crust. Though not the most powerful quake in terms of magnitude, it surpassed even the infamous 1935 Quetta earthquake in terms of fatalities and destruction.
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Closer to the present, the Chenab Valley region of J&K — especially the districts of Doda and Kishtwar — has witnessed recurring tremors over the past decade.
Several government and private buildings in these areas have developed cracks, rendering them unsafe for habitation. The frequency of these events serves as a sobering reminder of the region’s geological instability.
Experts have repeatedly emphasized the importance of earthquake-resistant infrastructure in regions like Kashmir and the Chenab Valley. Traditional homes made of wood and mud, once common in the area, were far more resilient to seismic activity.
However, as modern cement-concrete constructions replaced these structures, the vulnerability to earthquakes increased significantly.
It is crucial for residents, planners, and policymakers to adopt seismic-safe building practices. Earthquakes may not be preventable, but their impact can certainly be mitigated through preparedness, structural resilience, and community awareness.
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