Srinagar- Panic gripped Kashmir Valley on Saturday after a massive earthquake shook houses and buildings, forcing the people to run towards open areas for safety.
The earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale with its epicenter along Afghanistan-Tajikistan border shook the Valley around 9:45 am Saturday forcing the people to flee their houses and run towards the open spaces, reports said. However, no reports of any loss of life or damage to property were received.
According to the officials, the quake hit at latitude 36.34 degrees north and longitude 71.05 degrees east at a depth of 181 km.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to enquire about the situation following the earthquake.
Government sources said Modi called up Sinha to assess the situation in the union territory after the tremors.
Pertinently, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale hit the Valley on October 8, 2005 leaving behind a trail of destruction besides claiming thousands of lives in both this part of Kashmir.
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. (With PTI inputs)
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