SRINAGAR: An earthquake of 3.5 magnitude on the Richter scale early Monday morning jolted the mountainous Kishtwar district.

The National Center for Seismology (NCS) said that an earthquake of 3.5 magnitude occurred at around 2:47 am in Kishtwar district.

Earlier on Saturday an earthquake of 3.8 magnitude was also reported in the district.

SRINAGAR: A 6.1 magnitude earthquake was felt across Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday afternoon.

National Center for Seismology taking to microblogging site 'X', as per GNS, posted; "Earthquake of Magnitude: 6.1, Occurred on 11-01-2024, 14:50:24 IST, Lat: 36.48 & Long: 70.45, Depth: 220 Km, Location:  Afghanistan."

No immediate reports of any loss of life or damage to any property have been on record, when this report was filed. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: A low- intensity earthquake of magnitude 2.3 on the Richter scale occurred on Wednesday afternoon Kashmir Valley.

Even though intensity was on the lower side, the earthquake was felt more due to its epicenter in Kulgam.

According to the local meteorological department, the earthquake with depth 5-km occurred at 9:51p.m.

An official of the meteorological department here told GNS that epicenter of the earthquake was Kulgam.

There was no immediate report of any damage in the earthquake which caused panic among the people especially in south Kashmir. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: Tremors were felt on Monday morning when two mild-intensity earthquakes jolted the hilly Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The twin quakes were reported within a gap of five minutes.

As per officials, the first earthquake of 4.9 Magnitude was reported at 5:38 am with an Epicenter of 33.15°N / 75.68°E and depth: 10 km.

Meanwhile, at 5:43 am, a second earthquake of 3.6 Magnitude was reported having an epicenter of 33.15°N / 75.7°E and a depth of 8 km.

He said that the Udhampur, Jammu and Srinagar cities also felt mild tremors.

A senior official from Doda said that no injury or any damage was reported as of now because of earthquakes. (UNI)

SRINAGAR: A low-intensity earthquake was felt on Saturday afternoon across Ramban district.

Officials in the knowhow of things said the earthquake, occuring at 2:03 PM, measured 3.0 on Richter Scale. The epicentre of the quake, happening at a depth of 5 kms, was located in Ramban, they said.

There were however no immediate reports of any damage caused anywhere in or around the epicentre.

Notably, the fresh tremor has taken the tally of earthquakes felt in Chenab valley to seven since occurence of a 5.4 magnitude quake in Doda district on preceding Tuesday. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: The cracks were developed in some houses and government girls' high school after a 5.4 magnitude earthquake jolted the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday afternoon.

"Tremors were felt when 5.4 magnitude earthquake jolted parts of Doda district," an official said.

He said that no injury was reported from any part but some houses and a school building developed some cracks.

He said that the region of the quake was Eastern Kashmir, 33.32 N; 75.85 E and a depth 60 kilometres covering a distance of 113 km North East of Jammu. (UNI)

SRINAGAR: Mild earthquake tremors were felt across Kashmir valley on Tuesday afternoon.

As per initial reports, the earthquake was felt across various parts of Valley.

There were however no immediate reports of any damage caused to any property, when this report is being filed. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: In a major decision, the Administrative Council (AC) which met here under Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha gave its assent to the establishment of Disaster Recovery Centre outside of J&K Seismic Zone along with its upkeep and maintenance for 5 years.

Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor; Dr.Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, J&K and Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor attended the meeting.

The project has been considered as a part of adoption and launch of e-Office Software in all major departments and offices of the Government of Jammu & Kashmir. 

The digital services of the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, including e-Office operate out of the servers installed at the primary site in the Data Centre at Jammu, however, the establishment of a Disaster Recovery Centre outside of J&K Seismic Zone, would protect the entire data of the primary site against any natural or technical disaster with a back up at the secondary site, in a different seismic zone.

It is important to have a disaster recovery plan in place to mitigate disaster related interruptions, which makes the establishment of disaster recovery site an essential part of the system, especially when entire Government working is becoming digital. The goal of a disaster recovery plan is to maintain technical operations and quickly restore ability to operate the Government business in the face of disasters like floods, fires, earthquakes or other adverse conditions. (GNS)

Kashmir Valley situated in the laps of Himalayas, is one of the most beautiful regions in the world. However, this region is highly prone to earthquakes and has witnessed some of the deadliest earthquakes in history. The region falls under seismic zone 5, which is the most prone to earthquakes. The devastating earthquake that hit Kashmir in 2005 killed more than 86,000 people and left several thousand injured. This tragedy highlights the need for preparedness and mitigation measures to ensure the safety of the people in the region.

The region's topography and location make it highly susceptible to earthquakes. The region is located in a seismically active region, and the Himalayan range, which surrounds the valley, is the result of tectonic activity. As a result, the region experiences frequent tremors, which can sometimes lead to severe earthquakes.
One of the primary challenges in the region is the lack of awareness among the people regarding earthquakes and the associated risks. The people of the region are not adequately trained to deal with an earthquake, and this lack of awareness can have severe consequences during an earthquake. Therefore, it is imperative to conduct regular awareness campaigns in the region to educate the people on the necessary steps to be taken before, during, and after an earthquake.
The government should collaborate with NGOs and other organizations to conduct training and mock drills in schools, colleges, and other public places to make people aware of the safety measures that need to be taken during an earthquake. These campaigns should include information on how to prepare an emergency kit, what to do during an earthquake, and how to evacuate a building safely. By conducting these awareness campaigns, the people of the region can be better prepared to deal with an earthquake.
Another critical aspect of earthquake preparedness is building earthquake-resistant structures. Traditional buildings in the region are not designed to withstand earthquakes and, therefore, pose a significant risk to the lives of the people. It is essential to incorporate earthquake-resistant designs in all new constructions, and the government should provide incentives to builders who adhere to the safety guidelines. Retrofitting of the existing buildings should also be given priority to ensure the safety of the people.
The Indian government has already made strides towards earthquake-resistant construction. The Bureau of Indian Standards has established standards for earthquake-resistant construction. The Indian government has also provided financial assistance to homeowners to retrofit their houses to be earthquake-resistant. However, these efforts need to be increased to ensure that all buildings in the region are safe during an earthquake.
Another critical aspect of earthquake preparedness is the availability of emergency services. The region lacks adequate medical facilities and rescue services, which can aggravate the situation during an earthquake. The government should ensure that there are enough hospitals and healthcare facilities in the region to cater to the needs of the people during an emergency. The government should also equip the rescue teams with the necessary equipment to carry out rescue operations efficiently.
The Indian government has established a National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which is responsible for preparing and implementing policies to mitigate the impact of natural disasters. However, the NDMA needs to focus more on the region of Kashmir, given its high risk of earthquakes. The government should work with the NDMA to ensure that there are enough resources available to deal with an earthquake in the region.
In addition to the above measures, it is also essential to conduct regular seismic surveys in the region to assess the seismic activity and potential risks. This will help in identifying the vulnerable areas and taking necessary steps to mitigate the risks. The government should also invest in advanced technology to predict earthquakes and provide early warnings to the people.
The Indian government has also made efforts towards predicting earthquakes. The Indian Meteorological Department has established a Seismological Network that provides real-time information on earthquakes. However, this network needs to be expanded to carry out rescue operations efficiently.
Lastly, the region of Kashmir is highly prone to earthquakes, and it is essential to focus on earthquake preparedness measures to ensure the safety of the people. The government should conduct regular awareness campaigns, promote earthquake-resistant designs, provide emergency services, and invest in advanced technology to predict earthquakes. With the right measures in place, the region can be made more resilient to earthquakes, and the lives of the people can be protected.