An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.6 shook parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan on August 28, 2023. The National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC) in Pakistan confirmed that tremors were felt in Swat, Lower Dir, Malakand, Kohat, Mardan, Mohmand, and adjoining areas. People came out of their houses in fear but no loss of life or property was reported as per initial reports.
The epicenter of the earthquake was in the Hindukush mountain range in Afghanistan, about 150 kilometers from the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers.
This is the third earthquake to hit the region in recent months. On August 4, a magnitude 5.4 earthquake jolted parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in Pakistan. On June 13, an earthquake of magnitude 6 jolted the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, adjoining areas, and several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The earthquakes are a reminder of the seismic activity in the region. The Hindukush mountain range is located in a seismically active zone, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates are constantly colliding. This collision causes earthquakes and other seismic events.
The NSMC has advised people to stay away from buildings and structures that could collapse in the event of an earthquake. They have also advised people to keep a first-aid kit and other emergency supplies ready in case of an earthquake.
