5.9 Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Parts of Balochistan

News Desk

QUETTA: A powerful earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale struck Quetta and adjoining regions of Balochistan, spreading panic among citizens who rushed out of their homes and commercial establishments into open spaces.

According to preliminary data released by the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s National Seismic Monitoring Centre, the tremors were felt across several districts surrounding the provincial capital.

No immediate casualties or major structural collapses were reported in the initial hours following the seismic event, though local officials remain on high alert.

Emergency response personnel, including Rescue 1122 and teams from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), were swiftly dispatched to assess vulnerability across the city’s residential and commercial sectors.

Residents reported severe swaying of buildings and household fixtures, which triggered spontaneous evacuations across densely populated areas.

Municipal authorities and district administration officers are currently gathering field reports from remote rural belts to determine whether localized damage occurred to mud-brick dwellings and older infrastructure.

The provincial capital lies on a highly active fault system, making the Quetta valley historically prone to destructive seismic activity, including the devastating quake of 1935.

Urban planning experts and geological scientists have repeatedly cautioned that rapid, unregulated urban expansion in the region heightens vulnerability to moderate and severe quakes.

Today’s event serves as a stark reminder of the urgent requirement for strict enforcement of earthquake-resistant building codes and robust public awareness campaigns across high-risk seismic zones in Pakistan.

The PDMA has issued safety advisories advising the public to remain calm yet vigilant regarding potential aftershocks over the next 24 hours.

Control rooms have been established across vulnerable districts to maintain real-time monitoring and coordinate rapid assistance if needed.

Further detailed assessment reports regarding potential structural impacts are expected to be released by the provincial administration as field teams complete their preliminary surveys.