Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir which falls under Seismic Zone V, has witnessed over 160 earthquakes, including a massive tremor of 7.5 magnitude over the last twelve years, reports said Saturday.
According to the reports, Kashmir was hit by seven earthquakes in the year 2011 and eleven in the year 2012. In 2013, the Valley experienced 25 earthquakes of mild and moderate intensity while in 2014 nineteen tremors were reported.
However, a powerful earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale killed three people in Jammu and Kashmir in October 2015, exactly a decade after an earthquake of 7.6 magnitude killed more than 80,000 people, injured more than 100,000, and left 3 million homeless in Pakistani side of Kashmir. The year also witnessed another earthquake of mild intensity.
Most parts of Kashmir come under Seismic Zone V and are prone to earthquakes. Experts give varied reasons for earthquakes in J&K including various faults run through Kashmir and exploding of gases. Kashmir valley is vulnerable to disasters. At least 13 districts out of 100 districts in India have been identified as ‘multi hazard districts’.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department, most parts of Kashmir covering the districts of Srinagar, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Budgam, Anantnag and parts of Jammu region, Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar come under Seismic Zone V and are prone to earthquakes. While the rest part of the state comes under Seismic Zone IV.
A senior official of the Meteorological Department said the frequent earthquakes have proved that people and the government should be well prepared in dealing with such incidents.
“We need to take some measures like building earthquake resistant constructions,” he said.
He said people should be well prepared for earthquakes.
“We can’t predict the timing, magnitude and place of an earthquake but we should be well prepared in dealing with any such natural disaster,” he added.
Meanwhile, Friday’s earthquake that forced people out of their homes in panic and fear has also caused damage to dozens of houses in parts of the Valley, especially in north Kashmir, an official said Saturday.
“Final details are yet to come. It will take a few days to know exact details about damages,” he said.
In North Kashmir, the official said Kupwara is the most affected district where many houses have developed cracks due to the impact of jolts. (With KINS inputs)
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