Earthquake in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, KP cities

PESHAWAR: A 4.7 magnitude earthquake shook parts of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as reported by the National Seismic Monitoring Centre in the federal capital.

The tremors were felt across the twin cities and various locations in the northwestern province, including Peshawar, Swat, Parachinar, Malakand, Lower Dir, Hangu, Charsadda, Swabi, and surrounding areas. North and South Waziristan also experienced the tremors.

According to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre, the earthquake's epicenter was in southeastern Afghanistan, with a depth of 98 kilometers.

Earlier this month, a 3.2 magnitude earthquake struck parts of Karachi, including the Clifton neighborhood. The epicenter was 15 kilometers northeast of Karachi at a depth of 22 kilometers. No loss of life or property was reported.

This minor quake was the third in Karachi in the weeks leading up to June. On May 2, a 2.3 magnitude earthquake hit parts of the metropolis, including Gadap Town, Kathor, and nearby areas of Malir district. The epicenter was 38 kilometers northeast of Malir at a depth of 84 kilometers. Similarly, on April 24, a 3.2 magnitude earthquake jolted Karachi's Malir district.

Earthquakes are common in Pakistan, which lies on the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The Indian plate's northward push into the Eurasian plate makes large parts of South Asia seismically active.

These recent earthquakes highlight the importance of disaster preparedness and mitigation measures.