Leh:- Mohd Ishaq
An earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale struck the Leh–Ladakh region on Sunday, sending tremors across the northwestern Kashmir region and the Himalayan belt.
According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the quake occurred at 11:51:14 am, with its epicentre located in Leh–Ladakh at a depth of 171 kilometres.
The tremor was felt in several parts of the seismically sensitive Himalayan region, prompting authorities to keep a close watch on the situation. However, officials confirmed that no immediate casualties or damage have been reported so far.
Authorities have advised residents to remain alert and cautious, warning that aftershocks cannot be ruled out. Disaster management teams and local administrations are monitoring developments closely.
The latest earthquake comes just a day after a separate magnitude 4.1 quake struck Afghanistan, highlighting increased seismic activity in the broader region.
Seismologists explain that shallow earthquakes generally pose greater risks compared to deeper ones, as seismic waves travel shorter distances and can cause stronger ground shaking. In this case, the relatively deeper origin of the quake may have reduced its impact on the surface.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, has witnessed multiple tremors in recent days. NCS data shows a 4.2 magnitude earthquake on January 15 at a depth of 96 kilometres, followed by a 3.8 magnitude quake on January 14 at a depth of 90 kilometres.
Authorities across the region continue to remain on alert, urging people to follow safety guidelines in case of further seismic activity.
