ISLAMABAD: Authorities on Sunday urged citizens to remain alert following a 5.1-magnitude earthquake that jolted Islamabad and several other cities in the early hours of the morning, warning that minor aftershocks could follow in the coming days.
According to the Press Information Department (PID), the earthquake struck at 12:10am near Rawat, approximately 15 kilometers east-southeast of the capital. The shallow quake, with a depth of 10 kilometers, caused noticeable tremors across a wide region including Islamabad Capital Territory, Rawalpindi, Gujrat, Jhelum, Nankana Sahib, Jalalpur Bhattian, Wazirabad, Shahkot, Bhalwal, and parts of Azad Kashmir.
Seismic authorities said the epicenter lay along the Rawat Fault—an active fault line in the tectonically sensitive Potohar Plateau, influenced by the Indian-Eurasian plate boundary. The maximum shaking intensity reached level V on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale, indicating moderate to strong ground movement near the epicenter.
While the tremors were widely felt due to the quake’s shallow depth, the moderate magnitude has limited the likelihood of significant structural damage. As of Sunday, no casualties or property damage had been reported.
“Seismologists expect minor aftershocks, possibly reaching up to magnitude 3.0, which are typical following an earthquake of this scale,” said the PID, citing national seismic and disaster management authorities.
The Rawat region is known for frequent low to moderate magnitude earthquakes, with historical seismic activity tied to the Rawat Fault. Authorities emphasized the importance of preparedness and continued monitoring.
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Disaster response agencies are currently assessing the situation and have urged citizens to follow standard safety precautions. These include dropping to the ground during tremors, taking cover under sturdy furniture or against interior walls, and protecting the head and neck until the shaking stops.
This marks the second earthquake to impact Pakistan within a week. On Saturday, a 5.0-magnitude quake originating in Farkhār, Afghanistan was recorded at 2:03am, with tremors felt in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Muzaffarabad, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, and other areas. The U.S. Geological Survey reported its depth at 122.6 kilometers.
Authorities continue to monitor seismic activity closely and advise the public to stay informed and prepared.