Woman killed, 56 hurt as 6.9 magnitude quake hits parts of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE /PESHAWAR: At least one woman was killed and 56 persons were injured in Peshawar after a strong earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale struck various parts of Pakistan on early Saturday morning.

In Peshawar, one woman was killed and 56 persons, including seven women, were injured due to landsliding.

The wall of a house near the Lady Reading Hospital collapsed but no loss of life has been reported.

According to the US Geological Survey, the epicenter of the quake was located near the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border region at the depth of 197 kilometres. The tremors were felt in
almost all cities of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, including Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Bahawalpur, Sukkur, Abbottabad, Chitral, Murree, Mardan, Mansehra, Dir, Chalas, Hangu, Skardu, Malakand, Astore, Pind Dadan Khan, Faisalabad, Jhang, Wazirabad, Narowal, Kharian, Chunian, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Daska, Gagu Mandi, Kala Bagh, Shorkot, Bhakar, Sangla Hill and Bagh. Traffic was blocked on Karakoram highway due to land sliding.

According to PDMA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, fifty six people were injured in Peshawar and Hangu districts. The tremors were also felt in New Delhi and some other cities of India.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) advised people to take precautionary measures for earthquake and aftershocks.

“The aftershocks cannot be ruled out as well. In case of emergency or complaints please contact NDMA UAN: 111-157-157 or 051-9205037”, said a statement of NDMA issued here.

It said Provincial Emergency Operational Cell Contact Numbers are: Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab: 042-99203162-64. PDMA KP: 091-9213845, Federal Disaster Management Authority: 091-9216864 or 091-9218351, State Disaster Management Authority (Azad Jammu and Kashmir): 05822-921643 and Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority: 05811-920874.

Meanwhile, earthquake jolted severely whole areas of Gilgit-Baltistan that killed one woman in Tehsil Gupos district Ghizer.

Gilgit-Baltistan was hit simultaneously by earthquake and heavy snow which had been falling for last 24 hours that might cause landsliding and flood.

The Karakuram Highway remained block in Chilas and Kohistan which was restored later on. Heavy snow disturbed smooth PIA flights and other transportation means of the areas of GB.

The News learnt that Skardu Airport had been closed due to heavy snowfall that would be opened following the removal of snow pretty soon.

Gilgit-Baltistan will have to face shortage of basic commodities if snow falling continues in same pace.