A 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Hindu Kush Region in Afghanistan on Saturday evening, causing tremors in the Delhi-NCR region and Jammu & Kashmir.
The earthquake struck at 9:31 PM IST, with its epicenter in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan. It had a depth of 181 kilometers.
The National Center for Seismology (NCS) said that the earthquake was felt in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and other parts of the National Capital Region. It was also felt in Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh.
There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties in India. However, the earthquake caused panic in many parts of the country. People rushed out of buildings and gathered in open spaces.
The NCS has issued an orange alert for the Delhi-NCR region and a yellow alert for Jammu & Kashmir. The orange alert means that there is a possibility of damage to buildings and infrastructure. The yellow alert means that there is a possibility of light damage to buildings.
The earthquake is a reminder of the seismic risks that India faces. The country is located in a seismically active region and is prone to earthquakes. In 2001, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Gujarat, killing over 20,000 people.
The government of India has taken steps to mitigate the risks of earthquakes. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has developed a plan to respond to earthquakes. The plan includes measures to evacuate people from affected areas, provide relief and rehabilitation, and rebuild damaged infrastructure.
The government has also set up a National Earthquake Risk Mitigation Program (NERMP) to reduce the impact of earthquakes on people and property. The program includes measures to strengthen buildings, improve early warning systems, and educate people about earthquake safety.
The earthquake in Afghanistan is a reminder of the need to be prepared for earthquakes in India. The government and people of India need to work together to reduce the risks of earthquakes and protect lives and property.
