Earthquake Of Magnitude 5.3 Jolts Afghanistan

An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter Scale hit Afghanistan on Wednesday, the National Center for Seismology (NCS) said in a post on microblogging site X (formerly Twitter).

The earthquake's epicenter was the Hindu Kush region in Afghanistan, with a depth of 130 kilometers, as reported by the seismic center. However, there have been no reports of casualties or property damage from any part of Loralai so far. Residents emerged from their homes in fear, reciting Kalma-e-Tayyaba.

Earlier on February 19, a 4.5 magnitude earthquake shook various parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, particularly the Ghizer district, sending tremors throughout the region. The Meteorological Department (PMD) stated that the quake's epicenter was along the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border, with a depth of 102 kilometers, causing tremors across neighboring areas.

In a separate incident, an official reported a mild-intensity earthquake striking western Meghalaya on Tuesday afternoon. The quake, measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale, occurred at a depth of 5 km in the West Garo Hills district at 2:27 pm, according to the Regional Seismological Centre.

The tremors were felt in neighboring Guwahati and some parts of Assam that share borders with Meghalaya. Although tremors were experienced throughout the state, there were no immediate reports of casualties or property damage.