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After strong earthquake in AJK, 50 injured in aftershocks

After strong earthquake in AJK, 50 injured in aftershocks
September 26, 2019
MIRPUR (92 News) – At least 50 people were injured on Thursday as aftershocks rocked the cities of Mirpur and Jhelum, two days after strong quake hit Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). According to the reports, two days following the strong earthquake in AJK and Punjab, an earthquake of 4.4 on the Richter scale jolted Jhelum, Mirpur and adjoining areas. Aftershocks of previous earthquake triggered fear among the people as another tremor hit the Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) areas. The aftershocks have further damaged buildings which left around 50 people injured so far. The centre of earthquake is only six kilometers far away from Jehlum. The depth of the tremor was 12 kilometers. The tremor struck Mirpur, Jhelum, Sargodha, Rawalakot, Narowal, Sangla Hill, Dina, Sheikhupura and other areas. People came out of their homes, offices, educational institutions and other buildings in panic. According to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre, the aftershocks will continue to affect the quake-hit area for few more days. Earlier, as many as 38 people were killed while 579 injured when an earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter Scale wreaked havoc in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The earthquake struck several cities across country and many areas of the AJK including Mirpur. However, relief operation continued in earthquake affected areas of Azad Jammu Kashmir. The Inter-Service Public Relation (ISPR) has released damage assessment of the earthquake based on aerial and initial physical survey. According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake measured 6.1 on the Richter Scale at a depth of 10km. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the quake measured 5.7 on the Richter Scale and 12km north-west of Jhelum. Aftershocks were also felt in Lahore, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Kotli, Sialkot and Malakand. The building of Benazir Bhutto Medical College’s Old Boys Hostel collapsed due to the earthquake. In Jhelum, a woman was killed and 13 injured in quake-related incidents. Aftershocks were also felt in Lahore, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Kotli, Sialkot and Malakand. After the earthquake, flights were stopped in Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi. Roads have been damaged and crevices were created in canals in Mirpur. Emergency has been declared in all hospitals in Mirpur. The wall of a house collapsed in Jhelum. Several buses and vehicles turned turtle due to the earthquake. Five, killed, 100, wounded, earthquake, cities, across country, AJK The WAPDA spokesperson said that no damage had been reported to Mangla Dam and Power House. He said that data was being collected through instruments installed at both places. “Water in Mangla Lake has turned muddy and powerhouse’s turbines have been shut as precautionary measures,” he said, adding the turbines would be switched on after would become clean. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has ordered the PDMA authorities to be alert. He sought a report about the earthquake in different districts across the province. Five, killed, 100, wounded, earthquake, cities, across country, AJK He also ordered to take precautionary measures keeping in view the aftershocks of the earthquake. Most damage was reported in Jatlan.