Post by : Raina
Al-Fahim
Kabul: A 4.6 magnitude earthquake rocked Afghanistan early Thursday, as reported by the National Center for Seismology (NCS). The quake struck at 2:20 AM IST, reaching a depth of 140 kilometers, with its epicenter situated at latitude 36.43°N and longitude 71.20°E.
This marks the third seismic event in Afghanistan for November, highlighting the country’s significant vulnerability to earthquakes. The region's frequent tremors are attributed to its location along multiple active fault lines where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge.
Previously, on November 8, a 4.4 magnitude quake was recorded at a depth of 180 kilometers, while a more intense 6.3 magnitude earthquake on November 4 caused severe destruction in northern Afghanistan. This earlier quake resulted in at least 27 fatalities and nearly 956 injuries, in addition to substantial structural damage, including impacts on a historic mosque near Mazar-i-Sharif.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) indicates that Afghanistan is among the most disaster-prone countries, often struck by earthquakes, landslides, and floods. The Hindu Kush Mountain range, which traverses much of northern Afghanistan, is recognized as one of the globe’s most seismically active areas.
Decades of conflict, economic challenges, and underdeveloped infrastructure have made Afghan communities particularly susceptible to such natural disasters. Experts caution that the nation’s limited emergency response capabilities render even moderate earthquakes potentially catastrophic.
In response to ongoing seismic threats, humanitarian agencies are advocating for increased investment in disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure to mitigate future loss of life and property in quakes.
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