The town of Katra in Jammu and Kashmir experienced a seismic event measuring 4.3 on the Richter Scale during the early hours of Wednesday, as confirmed by the National Centre for Seismology. The earthquake occurred at around 2:15 am local time.
Additional details about the earthquake were provided by the National Centre for Seismology in a tweet. The earthquake had a magnitude of 4.3 and took place on June 15, 2023, precisely at 02:20:59 Indian Standard Time (IST). The epicenter was located at latitude 33.14 and longitude 75.79, with a depth of 10 kilometers.
According to the National Centre for Seismology, the epicenter was situated approximately 81 kilometers east-northeast of Katra in the Jammu and Kashmir region of India.
This recent seismic event is the second earthquake to occur in the region within a span of less than 24 hours.
On the afternoon of June 13, a significant earthquake struck Jammu and Kashmir, causing tremors that were also felt in certain parts of Delhi. The earthquake registered a magnitude of 5.4 on the Richter scale and originated near Gandoh Bhalessa, which is approximately 18 kilometers from the epicenter.
The epicenter of this earthquake was located in the district of Doda, specifically in Thathri, Bhalessa, and Badherwah, which are situated on the left side of the Chenab River. These areas suffered damage as a result of the earthquake. The Sub-district hospital in Gandoh Bhalessa also suffered structural cracks due to the seismic activity, causing fear and panic among the people present. Fortunately, no significant incidents were reported, although five people sustained injuries.
In Thathri, numerous residential buildings and schools were heavily affected by the earthquake. Mohammad Sadiq Bhat, the Sarpanch of Ton in Thathri, reported major damage to many houses, while schools under his Panchayat exhibited significant cracks, with one school building collapsing.
Other locations in the Doda district also experienced structural issues, with several official buildings developing cracks. In Bhaderwah, government buildings and residences were damaged, leading to injuries to two individuals.
Authorities at the DC office in Doda mentioned that they had not yet received written reports detailing the extent of the damage. They assured that updates would be provided as soon as the information becomes available.
Furthermore, other parts of Kashmir also reported damages. In the Kishtiwar area, numerous buildings suffered structural damage, with around 20 houses developing cracks. Efforts were made to relocate affected individuals to safer locations in response to the situation.