A moderate earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter Scale was felt across parts of Jammu and Kashmir early Friday morning, though officials confirmed that the epicentre was located in neighbouring Tajikistan. No loss of life or damage to property has been reported from the Union Territory so far.
According to the local Meteorological Department, the earthquake occurred at 2.44 a.m. and originated deep within the earth’s crust. The epicentre was situated in Tajikistan, around 110 kilometres below the surface, at latitude 38.26 degrees north and longitude 73.42 degrees east. Despite the distant epicentre, tremors were perceptible in several areas of Jammu and Kashmir, briefly unsettling residents.
Officials said the tremors were mild to moderate in intensity and did not trigger any emergency response. Residents in parts of Ganderbal district in central Kashmir reported being awakened by the shaking, with some noticing the rattling of household utensils. Authorities maintained that the situation remained calm, with no reports of structural damage or injuries.
Kashmir lies in a highly seismic zone and frequently experiences tremors due to its location along active tectonic boundaries. While Friday’s earthquake did not result in casualties, the region’s long history of devastating seismic events continues to raise concerns over preparedness and resilience.
One of the most destructive earthquakes to affect the region occurred on October 8, 2005, when a massive 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck with its epicentre near Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The quake claimed more than 80,000 lives and flattened large parts of Muzaffarabad. In Jammu and Kashmir, thousands of buildings were damaged, and aftershocks continued for nearly a month, compounding the devastation.
Historical records indicate that Kashmir has repeatedly suffered severe losses due to earthquakes. The 1885 Baramulla earthquake, which struck on May 30 with an estimated magnitude between 6.3 and 6.8, caused widespread destruction in Srinagar and surrounding areas, killing at least 3,081 people. The valley has also witnessed major earthquakes in earlier centuries, including a 7.6 magnitude quake in 1555, a 7 magnitude event in 1669, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in 1779, and another powerful tremor in 1885, each leaving a trail of destruction.
Seismologists have long warned that the Himalayan region, including Kashmir, remains vulnerable to high-magnitude earthquakes due to ongoing tectonic movements. While the latest tremor caused no damage, experts underline the importance of disaster preparedness, resilient infrastructure, and public awareness to mitigate the impact of future seismic events.
Authorities continue to monitor seismic activity closely and have urged residents not to panic, reiterating that there is no immediate threat following the early morning tremors.
