Kabul: The earth of the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan trembled with earthquake tremors on Wednesday morning. Tremors were felt in many parts of the region. According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the magnitude of the earthquake was measured at 5.9 on the Richter scale. The earthquake occurred at 4:43 am Indian time. Its epicenter was 75 km below the ground, 164 km east of Baglan. Initial information has not revealed any casualties or large-scale damage. However, experts are concerned about its impact due to the current humanitarian challenges in the country. Along with this, earthquake tremors have also been felt in the Philippines.
Afghanistan is vulnerable to earthquakes
Afghanistan is one of the most disaster-prone countries in South Asia. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has repeatedly warned that Afghanistan remains highly vulnerable to natural hazards such as floods, landslides and earthquakes. These frequent earthquakes in Afghanistan harm vulnerable communities, which are already struggling from decades of conflict and lack of development.
Afghanistan is highly vulnerable to earthquakes, as it lies on several active fault lines where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. According to the Red Cross, the Hindu Kush mountain range is particularly active and experiences earthquakes almost every year. An important fault line also passes through Herat province, further increasing the risk of future earthquakes.
Earthquake strikes Philippines too
A 5.6 magnitude earthquake also struck southern Philippines on Wednesday. However, there is no information on damage or casualties. The United States Geological Survey reported that the earthquake off the coast of Mindanao Island had a depth of 30 kilometers. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology put the quake's epicenter at about 43 kilometers southwest of Maitum town, which is located in a mountainous and sparsely populated area. Recently, earthquake tremors were felt in Pakistan.
