Four Earthquakes Shake Jammu And Kashmir Within 12 Hours; Doda-Kishtwar Belt At Centre

Four earthquakes struck Jammu and Kashmir within approximately 12 hours on Saturday, with their epicentres in the Doda-Kishtwar belt, officials said. Authorities reported no casualties or property damage.

According to disaster management data, the latest tremor occurred in Doda at 1.09 pm. It measured 2.9 in magnitude and originated at a depth of 10 km.

The third earthquake struck at 8.48 am, measuring 3.8 at a depth of 5 km. The second tremor occurred at 8.31 am, with a magnitude of 2.7 and a depth of 10 km. The first earthquake, measuring 3.3, struck at 2.38 am at a depth of 15 km.

The repeated tremors have raised concerns about the region’s seismic vulnerability. Jammu and Kashmir lies along the collision boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The Indian plate moves northwards at nearly five centimetres annually, building pressure that periodically triggers earthquakes.

Large parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh fall under Seismic Zones IV and V. Zone V represents India’s highest earthquake hazard category. The Kashmir and Chenab valleys and parts of Ladakh include highly vulnerable areas.

Seismologists attribute the region’s seismic risk to active tectonic movement and major fault systems, including the Main Boundary Thrust and Main Central Thrust. Expanding urban settlements further increase concerns about potential damage.

Experts have urged authorities and residents to strengthen preparedness, raise public awareness and enforce earthquake-resistant building codes.

The region still bears the scars of the October 8, 2005, magnitude 7.6 earthquake near Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The disaster killed more than 80,000 people and devastated Uri, Tangdhar and other areas.

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