Pakistan Earthquake: Magnitude 5.3 Rattles Parts of Country, Himalayas

A magnitude 5.3 earthquake shook parts of Pakistan and the Himalayan region of Kashmir early Tuesday, August 19, 2024, panicking residents.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake struck at 4:30 a.m. local time with an epicenter located in the remote mountainous region of Balochistan province, near the border with Afghanistan.

• The USGS initially reported the quake as a magnitude 5.6, but later downgraded it to 5.3.
• The quake was felt in major cities across Pakistan, including Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar.
• There were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries.

The quake comes less than two decades after a devastating magnitude 7.6 earthquake hit the same region in 2005, killing thousands of people.

The USGS has issued a green alert for the quake, indicating that there is a low likelihood of significant damage.

Residents in the affected areas are advised to remain alert and follow the instructions of local authorities.

The quake is a reminder of the seismic activity that is common in the region.

Pakistan is located on the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, which makes it prone to earthquakes.