5.1 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Swabi, Peshawar and Other KP Districts

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – A 5.1 magnitude earthquake shook several parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday. The strong tremors scared many people, and families rushed out of their homes.

The shaking was felt in Swabi, Peshawar, Mardan, Charsadda, Mohmand and Buner. People also reported tremors in Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Malakand, Dera Ismail Khan, South Waziristan and Landi Kotal.

Residents of Swabi said the jolts caused panic. Many people left their houses at once and gathered in open spaces. Some stayed outside for a while until they felt safe.

According to the Seismological Centre, the earthquake measured 5.1 on the Richter scale. Some local weather offices reported the magnitude as high as 5.3. Small differences like this are common in early reports.

The epicentre was in the Garm Chashma area of Tajikistan. This area lies in the Hindu Kush mountain region, close to the Afghanistan border.

The quake was deep. Records show its origin was about 180 to 220 kilometres below the surface.

This explains why so many cities felt it. A deep earthquake sends its waves over a very wide area. So people far from the epicentre can feel the shaking, even when the ground movement at the surface is not very strong.

The Hindu Kush region is known for such deep earthquakes. Pakistan also lies in a zone where two large tectonic plates meet. That is why tremors from this region are often felt in northern Pakistan.

There were no immediate reports of deaths, injuries or damage to buildings. Officials had not shared the full impact yet. More information was still awaited.

For now, people in the affected areas are advised to stay calm and not trust rumours. Please follow only official updates from the disaster management teams and the weather department.

Experts usually suggest a few simple steps during an earthquake. Drop to the ground, cover your head and hold on to something strong. Stay away from windows, glass and heavy shelves.

If you are inside, move to an open area only when the shaking stops and it is safe. Do not use lifts. Keep children and elderly family members close to you.

After the tremors, check your home for cracks in walls and ceilings. If you see serious damage, move out and call the rescue services. Be ready for small aftershocks, because they can follow a strong quake.

Earthquakes cannot be predicted, but being ready can save lives. Families should keep a small emergency bag at home. It should hold water, a torch, basic medicines and important papers.