4.8-Magnitude Zhob Earthquake Jolts Balochistan Region

Zhob – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – A moderate Zhob earthquake shook parts of Balochistan on Wednesday, sending tremors through the towns of Zhob and Chaman. The quake was picked up by the National Seismic Monitoring Centre, which works under the Pakistan Meteorological Department.

According to officials, the tremor struck at a depth of 15 kilometres. That’s fairly shallow, which is why people in nearby areas felt the shaking so clearly.

The centre placed the epicentre about 122 kilometres northeast of Zhob. So far, there are no reports of injuries or damage to homes or buildings. Local authorities say things remain calm, and no emergency response has been needed.

Still, many residents couldn’t help but recall the last time a big quake hit this region. Back in October 2021, a much stronger 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck near Harnai, also at a depth of 15 kilometres. That one happened around 3:20 in the morning, catching most people asleep.

The 2021 quake was devastating. At least 20 people lost their lives, and over 300 others were hurt. Harnai took the worst hit, with several buildings caving in and more than 70 houses badly damaged. Aftershocks kept coming for days afterward, and both rescue teams and military units were sent in to help affected families.

Chaman felt the ground shake again more recently too. In March 2024, a 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck with its epicentre roughly 150 kilometres southwest of Quetta. That quake hit early in the morning, around 5:35 am, at a depth of 35 kilometres.

That tremor wasn’t limited to Chaman alone. People in Qila Abdullah, Noshki, Pishin, Dalbandin, Chagai, and even Quetta reported feeling the shaking too.

Balochistan sits in an active seismic zone, so quakes like this aren’t entirely unexpected. The region has a history of both small tremors and larger, more damaging events. Experts often point out that shallow quakes, even at lower magnitudes, tend to feel stronger on the surface because there’s less distance for the shaking to travel.

For now, officials are urging calm. There’s no indication that Wednesday’s quake will lead to any aftershocks or further disruption. But given the region’s past, local authorities are keeping a close watch just in case.

Residents are advised to stay alert and follow basic safety steps during any future tremors, such as moving away from heavy furniture and staying clear of weak structures. Emergency numbers remain active in case anyone needs help or wants to report damage.

The National Seismic Monitoring Centre continues to track activity across Balochistan and will issue updates if the situation changes. As always, officials say early awareness and simple precautions go a long way in reducing risk during seismic events.