M7.7 Earthquake jolted Balochistan province of Pakistan, while tremors were felt in Sindh also. The quake struck on 24 September 2013 at 4:29 PM PST (11:29 GMT) and its epicentre was 66 KM NNE from Awaran in Balochistan at a depth of 15 kilometers. Meteorological Department measured the earthquake at 7.7 magnitude on the Richter scale. More than 500 people were left dead due to the natural disaster. Chief spokesman for Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority, Mirza Kamran Zia, said that most of the casualties occurred when houses collapsed on people inside. Hundreds of people are also reported injured.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) initially measured the Awaran Quake at 7.4 on the Richter scale and 29 kilometers deep but later revised their figure to 7.7 magnitude. Chief meteorologist, Muhamamd Riaz warned that aftershocks were expected and damages are likely as this was a major earthquake. Director Seismic Zahid Rafiq told that the duration of the shocks lasted from 6 to 10 seconds. He further told there is still a possibility of the after-shocks and directed people to remain vigilant.
Epicentre is located 120 KM southwest from Khuzdar and the area is sparsely populated. Officials from the Pakistan Meteorological Department have said that major damage and loss of life was averted as the center of the earthquake is located in a remote area. Met office representatives have however warned of after-shocks of up to 5 magnitude.
Commissioner Gwadar and Additional Deputy Commissioner Awaran said several houses have been damaged in the area. Deputy Commissioner Awaran has declared emergency at hospitals. Commissioner Quetta has placed the administration in all districts on high alert. Chief Minister Balochistan declared emergency in Awaran.
The earthquake created a small island on the Gwadar coastline about 1.5 KM into the sea near an area called "Jhanda", according to Express News. The newly appearing island is said to have a mountainous terrain rising up to about 50 feet. A large crowd gathered at the site to see the new island.
Tremors were felt for several seconds in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Nawabshah and other cities of Sindh. Shocks were also observed in Quetta Qalat, Gwadar, Mastung and other parts of Balochistan. People working in offices of Karachi, rushed out of their buildings and sat on the footpaths along the roads or stood away from the buildings.
Light tremors were also felt in India, UAE and Oman. According to the Times of India, office workers in the city of Ahmedabad near the border with Pakistan ran out of buildings and into the streets afraid of the jolts caused by Pakistan quake. Minor tremors shook tall buildings in New Delhi, sending people running out into the streets.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) initially measured the Awaran Quake at 7.4 on the Richter scale and 29 kilometers deep but later revised their figure to 7.7 magnitude. Chief meteorologist, Muhamamd Riaz warned that aftershocks were expected and damages are likely as this was a major earthquake. Director Seismic Zahid Rafiq told that the duration of the shocks lasted from 6 to 10 seconds. He further told there is still a possibility of the after-shocks and directed people to remain vigilant.
Epicentre is located 120 KM southwest from Khuzdar and the area is sparsely populated. Officials from the Pakistan Meteorological Department have said that major damage and loss of life was averted as the center of the earthquake is located in a remote area. Met office representatives have however warned of after-shocks of up to 5 magnitude.
Commissioner Gwadar and Additional Deputy Commissioner Awaran said several houses have been damaged in the area. Deputy Commissioner Awaran has declared emergency at hospitals. Commissioner Quetta has placed the administration in all districts on high alert. Chief Minister Balochistan declared emergency in Awaran.
The earthquake created a small island on the Gwadar coastline about 1.5 KM into the sea near an area called "Jhanda", according to Express News. The newly appearing island is said to have a mountainous terrain rising up to about 50 feet. A large crowd gathered at the site to see the new island.
Tremors were felt for several seconds in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Nawabshah and other cities of Sindh. Shocks were also observed in Quetta Qalat, Gwadar, Mastung and other parts of Balochistan. People working in offices of Karachi, rushed out of their buildings and sat on the footpaths along the roads or stood away from the buildings.
Light tremors were also felt in India, UAE and Oman. According to the Times of India, office workers in the city of Ahmedabad near the border with Pakistan ran out of buildings and into the streets afraid of the jolts caused by Pakistan quake. Minor tremors shook tall buildings in New Delhi, sending people running out into the streets.
No comments:
Post a Comment