9 people killed and 15 injured in a 6.0 magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan. Tremors were also felt in Pakistan and Delhi-NCR in India. Relief and rescue teams are engaged in removing debris and assisting the injured.
Earthquake: An earthquake caused devastation in Afghanistan between Sunday and Monday nights. The ground in the southeastern parts shook so violently that people, in panic, rushed out of their homes. The earthquake was measured at a magnitude of 6.0 on the Richter scale. In this natural disaster, nine people lost their lives and 15 people were injured. The most alarming aspect was that the earthquake tremors extended beyond Afghanistan, being felt in Pakistan and India. People in Delhi-NCR also became frightened by the earth shaking at night and fled to safer locations.
When and Where the Earthquake Struck
According to a report by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake was recorded about 27 kilometers northeast of Jalalabad, at a depth of eight kilometers below the ground. The tremors were felt at 12:47 AM, when most people were in deep sleep. This sudden disaster gave people no time to react, and in an instant, many homes turned into rubble.
Maximum Damage in Afghanistan
Naqibullah Rahimi, a spokesperson for the Nangrahar Public Health Department in Afghanistan, stated that the southeastern regions suffered the most damage from the earthquake. Many houses were completely flattened. Nine people died and 15 are injured due to being trapped under the debris. The injured were immediately admitted to hospitals, and relief and rescue teams worked throughout the night to clear the debris. People were so scared that they did not dare to return to their homes until late at night.
Tremors Felt in Pakistan and India
The impact of the earthquake was not limited to Afghanistan. Its tremors were also felt in Pakistan, causing people to take to the streets in fear. In India, people in Delhi-NCR were frightened by the sudden shaking of the earth at night. Although the tremors in India were mild and there was no loss of life or property, a clear atmosphere of fear was visible among the people.
Why Earthquakes Occur Repeatedly
The Hindu Kush mountain range is considered highly sensitive in terms of tectonic plate activity. Here, the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate are constantly shifting and colliding, creating pressure buildup within the earth. When this pressure is released, the earth shakes, resulting in an earthquake. This is why tremors are repeatedly felt in this region. An earthquake of magnitude 5.5 struck here on August 2, and another of magnitude 4.2 on August 6. This indicates that the region is continuously affected by seismic activities.
Relief and Rescue Operations
The Afghan government and local administration immediately launched relief and rescue operations. Teams were deployed to rescue people trapped under the debris. The injured were admitted to hospitals, and relief materials were delivered. The administration appealed to people not to pay attention to rumors and to remain calm. Temporary shelters were also set up in the affected areas to ensure people's safety.
Panic Among People
Following the earthquake, there was an atmosphere of panic among the people in Afghanistan. The sudden shaking of the earth at night woke people from their sleep, and they rushed out of their homes. In Delhi-NCR too, people were frightened by the earthquake tremors at night. Although no devastation occurred there, fear was clearly visible on people's faces.
Scientists' Warning
Geologists have warned that the Hindu Kush region will always remain sensitive to seismic activity. The recurring earthquakes are an indication that the possibility of earthquakes will persist in this region in the future. This is a warning for India, as Delhi-NCR falls under seismic zone-4, which is considered sensitive in terms of earthquakes.
