Pakistan: Earthquake - Sep 2019

A powerful earthquake jolted several parts of Pakistan Administered Kashmir on 24 September 2019 at 4.02pm local time, particularly areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The earthquake severely affected Jatlan in Mirpur district, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers with its epicenter lying one kilometer southeast of Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. According to the preliminary information, 19 deaths reported and more than 300 injured. The high intensity earthquake also caused severe to moderate damages to houses, buildings, and other infrastructure in Mirpur district. The main road along Mirpur to Jatlan along the Jatlan Canal is damaged and caused damages of vehicles on the road when the earthquake struck. The number of deaths and injuries and affected families are likely to be increased in the coming days once official report is issued. (IFRC, 25 Sep 2019)

Up to 3,000 people were exposed to very strong shaking and up to 910,000 to strong shaking. According to media reports, at least 25 people have died and around 400 have been injured. Hundreds of houses have collapsed, many roads have been destroyed or damaged and as well as several bridges (ECHO, 25 Sep 2019)

According to the preliminary information, 38 casualties and more than 646 injured people have been reported. The high intensity earthquake also caused severe to moderate damages to houses, buildings, and other infrastructure in District Mirpur - 7,004 houses have been partially damaged while another 1,619 houses have been reported to be fully damaged. The main road in Mirpur – Jatlan along the Jatlan Canal has been damaged causing partial damage to 150 vehicles, and another 50 fully damaged. Total affected households are 8,619 families consists of the number of houses partially and completed damaged in two districts – Mirpur and Bhimber. The number of deaths and injuries and affected families are likely to increase in the coming days once official report is issued. Electrical power supply, mobile and landline telephone services coverage are disrupted. (IFRC, 29 Sep 2019)

According to the latest report by Muslim Aid from 30 September, 40 people died and more than 1,600 have been injured. 1,619 houses collapsed and 7,100 have been damaged. (ECHO, 02 Oct 2019)

According to Pakistan’s NDMA situation report dated 11 October, 38 people have lost their lives and more than 700 people have been injured by the earthquake. The high intensity earthquake also caused severe to moderate damages to houses, buildings, and other infrastructures. Over 7,400 families have been affected in districts of Mirpur and Bhimper due to damages suffered to their houses. (IFRC, 20 Nov 2019)