On 21 March 2023, residents of several cities in Pakistan, including Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar, felt tremors of an earthquake that hit the region around 9:50 pm local time. The earthquake was recorded at a magnitude of 7.7 on the Richter scale, with the epicenter located in Kyrgyzstan.
While there have been no reports of any casualties, the earthquake caused panic and concern among the residents. Several buildings in the affected areas were reportedly damaged, and there were reports of power outages and disrupted communications.
The authorities in the affected cities and neighboring regions have launched immediate rescue and relief efforts to assist those in need. Emergency services have been dispatched to the affected areas, and hospitals have been put on high alert to deal with any potential influx of injured people.
Last month, two earthquakes also struck the twin cities and surrounding areas, causing concern among residents and highlighting the need for preparedness and disaster management in the region.
Earthquakes are not uncommon in this part of the world, which is part of the seismically active zone known as the “Ring of Fire.” The region has experienced several devastating earthquakes in the past, including the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir that claimed over 80,000 lives.
Read more: Earthquake of Magnitude 5.5 Hits India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan