Magnitude 5.9 Earthquake Strikes Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush Region
An earthquake of magnitude 5.9 struck the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan early Wednesday at a depth of 75 kilometers. The National Centre for Seismology reported the details, noting Afghanistan’s vulnerability to natural disasters exacerbated by ongoing conflict and underdevelopment. The region’s geological positioning contributes to frequent seismic events.
An earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale struck the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan, as reported by the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). The tremor occurred early Wednesday morning at 04:43 AM Indian Standard Time (IST) and was recorded at a latitude of 35.83 N and longitude of 70.60 E.
According to the NCS, the earthquake struck at a depth of 75 kilometers. The organization shared details on X, stating “EQ of M: 5.9, On: 16/04/2025 04:43:58 IST, Lat: 35.83 N, Long: 70.60 E, Depth: 75 Km, Location: Hindu Kush, Afghanistan.”
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) highlighted that Afghanistan is particularly susceptible to natural disasters, including frequent flooding, landslides, and earthquakes. This situation exacerbates the challenges faced by vulnerable communities still reeling from prolonged conflict and underdevelopment.
Afghanistan’s geographic positioning places it on multiple fault lines between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, contributing to its susceptibility to seismic activity. The Hindu Kush Mountain range is known for being geologically active, with the Red Cross indicating that earthquakes occur yearly in this region.
The recent earthquake in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region, measuring 5.9, exhibits the country’s vulnerability to seismic activity due to its complex tectonic setting. With a history of destructive earthquakes and ongoing humanitarian crises, the impact on local communities remains severe, necessitating further attention and support for disaster resilience.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
