A strong earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck southeastern Afghanistan in the early hours of Monday, triggering panic across the region. According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the quake occurred at 12:47 a.m. IST, with its epicentre recorded at latitude 34.50°N and longitude 70.81°E, at a depth of 160 kilometres.
Naqibullah Rahimi, spokesperson for the Nangarhar Public Health Department, confirmed to Reuters that at least nine people lost their lives while 15 others were injured in the disaster. Rescue teams are working to assess the extent of damage in the affected areas.
The tremors were felt across large parts of Pakistan and northern India, including the Delhi-NCR region, where residents rushed out of buildings as strong vibrations shook homes and offices.
Several aftershocks followed the main quake, measuring 4.7, 4.3, 5.0 and 5.0 on the Richter scale, keeping residents on edge. Seismologists note that such tremors fall under the category of shallow to intermediate earthquakes, which are often more destructive than deep quakes as seismic energy reaches the surface faster, leading to more intense shaking.
Rising Seismic Threat in the Himalayan Region
The incident underscores the growing earthquake risk in Afghanistan and the wider Himalayan belt. The region sits at the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates — a slow but forceful geological process that has given rise to the Himalayas and continues to cause frequent seismic disturbances.
Experts warn that a dangerous mix of densely populated valleys, vulnerable infrastructure, and limited preparedness increases the potential for devastation in future quakes. Scientists also point out that climate change, which is altering soil stability and weather extremes, may further destabilize the fragile geology of the region.
Authorities stress that constant monitoring, stricter building regulations, and improved disaster response systems are essential to reducing the impact of such natural disasters in the years ahead.
