Jammu, Aug 20: Two consecutive earthquakes, measuring 4.9 and 4.8 on the Richter scale, struck the Kashmir Valley on Tuesday morning. Fortunately, no casualties or damage to property have been reported so far.
According to Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the Meteorological Department, the first quake occurred at 6:45 a.m., registering a magnitude of 4.9. Its coordinates were 34.17 degrees north latitude and 74.16 degrees east longitude, with the epicentre located in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir at a depth of 5 km.
Just seven minutes later, at 6:52 a.m., a second earthquake with a magnitude of 4.8 was recorded. The epicentre of this quake was also in the Baramulla district, with coordinates at 34.20 degrees north latitude and 74.31 degrees east longitude, occurring at a depth of 10 km.
The tremors were felt across the entire Kashmir Valley, prompting residents in many areas to rush out of their homes in fear. Concerned individuals flooded phone lines, checking on the safety of their loved ones.
Provincial authorities confirmed that there have been no reports of casualties or property damage. The Kashmir Valley, located in a seismologically active zone, has a history of significant earthquakes. Notably, on October 8, 2005, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale claimed over 80,000 lives across the Line of Control in Kashmir.
