A fresh earthquake struck the Kohlu district of Balochistan on Saturday, marking the third tremor to affect the region within a span of two days. The latest seismic event registered a magnitude of 4.3 on the Richter scale, with its epicenter located 40 kilometers north of Kohlu at a depth of 15 kilometers, which is shallower than the previous quake.
Fortunately, no immediate reports of casualties or structural damage have emerged following this latest tremor. This renewed seismic activity comes after two distinct earthquakes struck the area the previous day, leaving residents anxious and alert for possible aftershocks.
The most powerful of the earlier quakes measured 5.1 in magnitude and resulted in noticeable destruction. At least three individuals, including a child, were injured, and about 70 houses sustained partial damage in Kingri, Abdul Razaq Khajak, Deputy Commissioner of Musa Khel. The injuries were caused by separate incidents of wall collapses, with the affected individuals promptly taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
This 5.1-magnitude earthquake had its epicenter 60 kilometers northeast of Kohlu at a depth of 17 kilometers. The tremors were felt across a wide area, including Zhob, Barkhan, and Rakhni. The Pakistan Meteorological Department noted that three earthquakes occurred in Kohlu on the same day, with the first recorded at 10:25 a.m., the second at 10:58 a.m., and the third at 4:49 p.m.
Earlier in the afternoon, residents also reported feeling tremors in Kohlu. Notably, a 4.9-magnitude earthquake struck Lahore and surrounding areas earlier this month, causing panic as people evacuated their homes and buildings. This quake, recorded on June 5, had its epicenter in the Kashmir region at a depth of 18 kilometers.
Pakistan’s vulnerability to earthquakes is largely due to its position along the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The country has endured several devastating earthquakes in recent decades. In February this year, a 5.8-magnitude quake shook Islamabad, Swat, and Hunza. The 2005 Azad Kashmir earthquake was particularly catastrophic, killing over 73,000 people and leaving millions homeless.
Balochistan itself suffered a severe earthquake in 2021 in Harnai, which resulted in at least 20 fatalities and complicated rescue efforts due to landslides. Experts emphasize that the rugged terrain in Pakistan’s earthquake-prone regions significantly hinders relief operations, underscoring the importance of preparedness and effective response strategies.
