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A mild earthquake struck Afghanistan, sending tremors across parts of northern India, including the Delhi-NCR region and Jammu & Kashmir. According to initial reports, no immediate damage to property or injuries have been reported. Authorities are monitoring the situation, and further updates are expected.
New Delhi, April 19, 2025 — A strong earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale jolted parts of Afghanistan on Saturday afternoon, as per the National Center for Seismology (NCS). The tremors, which occurred at 12:17 PM IST, were felt across several northern regions of India, including Jammu & Kashmir and the Delhi-NCR area.
According to data released by NCS, the earthquake’s epicentre was located at latitude 36.10°N and longitude 71.20°E, with a depth of 130 kilometres.
“EQ of M: 5.8, On: 19/04/2025 12:17:53 IST, Lat: 36.10 N, Long: 71.20 E, Depth: 130 Km, Location: Afghanistan,” NCS confirmed in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
So far, there have been no immediate reports of casualties or property damage, but local authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
Recent Seismic Activity in the Region
This earthquake follows another tremor that occurred earlier this week. On Wednesday, a 5.6 magnitude earthquake hit Afghanistan with its epicentre located approximately 164 km east of Baghlan. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) initially recorded the tremor as a 6.4 magnitude quake before revising it to 5.6.
Additionally, a minor earthquake measuring 2.4 on the Richter scale was reported in the Kishtwar region of Jammu & Kashmir early Wednesday morning at around 5:14 AM IST.
Shallow Earthquake Strikes Afghanistan Amid Ongoing Seismic Vulnerability
A recent tremor struck Afghanistan at a shallow depth of just 5 kilometres, underscoring the country’s heightened vulnerability to natural disasters.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), Afghanistan is highly prone to natural hazards, including earthquakes, landslides, and seasonal floods. The region’s frequent seismic activity continues to place immense pressure on already fragile communities, many of which have faced decades of conflict and underdevelopment.
UNOCHA notes that these repeated disasters have severely compromised the population’s ability to respond effectively to multiple crises. The International Committee of the Red Cross also highlights Afghanistan’s long history of powerful earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush region—an area well-known for its geological instability and frequent tremors.
Afghanistan sits atop several major fault lines formed by the convergence of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. One such fault line runs directly through Herat, significantly elevating the city’s risk of seismic events.
As the country grapples with compounding humanitarian challenges, the threat of earthquakes remains a serious and ongoing concern.
A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 struck Afghanistan on Saturday afternoon, sending shockwaves through neighboring regions. The tremors were widely felt in several parts of Pakistan and northern India, causing panic among residents. While there have been no immediate reports of casualties or major damage, authorities are closely monitoring the situation. More details are awaited as seismic experts assess the impact.
Mild to moderate earthquake tremors were experienced in several parts of North India, including Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and the Delhi-NCR region. The seismic activity was also strongly felt across Pakistan, shaking cities like Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, and various areas within the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. More details on the magnitude and epicenter are awaited from official sources.
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