An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 hit Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Tuesday killing at least 30 people and injuring more than 300. The earthquake hit an area 22 km north of the city of Jhelum. The area was along the boundary that separates the Punjab province and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Massive cracks on the road have been reported along with damaged infrastructure, according to Al-Jazeera.
Earthquake has caused significant damage to infrastructure
Tremors of the earthquake caused people in Lahore and Islamabad to come running into the streets. Rescue operations are ongoing as residents in the worst-hit areas are recovering from their houses collapsing. The military has deployed “aviation and medical support” teams along with troops to affected areas in Kashmir.
Massive cracks have formed on roads
The epicentre of the earthquake was near the city of Mirpur. Cracks at least four feet deep, filling with water from a nearby canal were observed on a main road in the district. Images broadcasted on television showed cars trapped in cracks, with buses and trucks lying on the side of the road.
In the village of Sahankikri, situated on the outskirts of Mirpur, residents reported that almost 400 houses were damaged. Raja Farooq Haider Khan, the prime minister of Pakistan-administered Kashmir confirmed that infrastructure had been severely impacted. Roads, mobile phone towers and electricity poles have all been damaged. Tremors of the earthquake in Pakistan were felt as far as New Delhi. People rushed out of their homes and offices in a state of panic in many places including Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana.
Officials are still gathering reports from the site
Local disaster management officials are still gathering reports from the site of the earthquake. Tahir Mahmood, a senior police official in Rawalakot, about 80 km from Mirpur, said “there is a lot of damage to infrastructure in Mirpur. Roads seem to have developed cracks and sunk. Lots of vehicles were thrown around.”
A statement released by the National Disaster Management Authority confirmed that electricity supply to Mirpur and Kotli districts was cut off. Further, 200 tents, 800 blankets and 110 rescuers have been dispatched to the scene.
