4.6-magnitude quake rocks Kashmir; tremors felt in Pattan area
4.6-magnitude quake rocks Kashmir; tremors felt in Pattan area
A 4.6-magnitude earthquake shook Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district early Monday, with officials reporting no damage so far.
A 4.6-magnitude earthquake shook Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district in the early hours of Monday, sending residents scrambling from homes and shops in Pattan and nearby areas. The tremors prompted widespread chatter on social media and prompted officials to assess any potential damage or aftershocks. The quake's intensity was felt across portions of the Kashmir Valley.
The National Centre for Seismology said the quake struck at 5:35 am at a depth of about 10 km, with the epicentre in the Pattan area, about 10 km northeast of Gulmarg. Initial reports placed it at 4.6 magnitude, but later revision to 4.7 was noted by seismologists. Tremors lasted roughly 20 seconds.
Officials said there were no immediate reports of damage to structures, roads, or communication lines. People in crowded markets and residential neighborhoods spilled into streets as windows rattled and chandeliers swayed. The relatively shallow depth of the quake contributed to the shaking, though the region's buildings and infrastructure are designed to withstand moderate events.
Kashmir lies within the Himalayan seismic arc, a zone recognized by BIS as Zone VI. The memory of the 2005 October 8 earthquake, which measured 7.6 and left thousands dead, remains a sobering reminder of the region's vulnerability. Officials urged residents to stay alert for potential aftershocks and to follow safety guidelines.
