Delhi/Kabul, 1 September (H.S.): A strong earthquake of magnitude 6.3 struck Afghanistan’s mountainous Hindu Kush region late Sunday night, sending tremors across the region and into parts of northern India. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake struck at 11:47 pm local time (19:17 GMT) near the Pakistan border, at a shallow depth of just 10 kilometres — making it capable of producing stronger surface shaking.

The epicentre was located about 42 kilometres east-northeast of Jalalabad and 36 kilometres north of Basawul, close to Afghanistan’s eastern border with Pakistan.

No Immediate Reports of Damage

Despite the strong ground shaking, authorities have so far reported no casualties or major structural damage. However, experts caution that due to the late-night timing and the remote mountainous terrain, assessments may take time and delayed reports could emerge.

Tremors Felt in India

The quake’s impact was not limited to Afghanistan. Tremors were felt across several parts of northern India, including Delhi-NCR and Jammu & Kashmir, prompting people in many areas to rush outdoors. This comes just months after an April 2025 earthquake of magnitude 5.8 in Afghanistan caused similar panic in Indian towns.

Seismically Active Region

Afghanistan lies on a major tectonic boundary where the Indian and Eurasian plates collide, making it one of the most earthquake-prone regions in Asia. The Hindu Kush mountain range is particularly vulnerable to frequent seismic activity.

The memory of October 2023 still looms large, when another 6.3 magnitude earthquake devastated western Afghanistan, leaving thousands dead. The Taliban government then estimated over 4,000 deaths, while UN figures placed the toll closer to 1,500.

Authorities in both Afghanistan and neighbouring countries are closely monitoring the situation following Sunday’s quake.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar