Hello friends! How are you all today? I hope you and your family are safe and well. Did you feel the Khuzdar earthquake today?
Today I have news that many of you may have felt on your own feet. There was a Khuzdar earthquake today. Let me tell you everything about it in simple words.
What We Know About the Khuzdar Earthquake Today
Early this morning, on Saturday, October 17, the ground shook in Balochistan. The earthquake came at about 10:06 in the morning, Pakistan time. The center of the earthquake was about 48 kilometers away from Khuzdar city, in Balochistan province.
The earthquake’s size was measured between 5.6 and 5.7 magnitude. You may ask why two numbers. It is because different science centers use different machines. The German center, called GFZ, said 5.6, as Reuters reported. The American center, called USGS, said 5.7 after a full check. Both are close to each other, so the real size is between the two.
The earthquake was also shallow. It happened only 10 kilometers below the ground. A shallow earthquake is felt more strongly because its power does not travel far down first. It hits the ground almost directly.
Was Anyone Hurt in the Khuzdar Earthquake Today?
So far, there is no news of anyone hurt or any big damage. Also, officials are still checking for damage from the Khuzdar earthquake today, and I will update you if this changes. The American science center gave this earthquake a “yellow alert.” That means they think some small damage or injuries are possible, but nothing big is expected.
The shaking was strongest near the center of the earthquake. About 4,000 people may have felt very strong shaking. Around 35,000 people felt strong shaking. And in Khuzdar city itself, which has about 141,000 people, the shaking was light to moderate. People may have felt their homes move, and light things may have fallen from tables.
There is no danger of a tsunami from this earthquake, because it happened on land, far from the sea.
Why Do Earthquakes Come in Pakistan?
You may wonder why the ground shakes in Pakistan so often. So, let me explain in simple words.
Under our feet, the Earth is made of big pieces called plates. Pakistan sits where three of these plates meet: the Indian plate, the Eurasian plate, and the Arabian plate. These plates move very slowly, like big ships in the sea. When they push against each other, stress builds up. One day, the stress becomes too much, and the ground suddenly moves. That is an earthquake. You can learn more about how earthquakes work in this simple explainer.
Balochistan is one of the areas in Pakistan where earthquakes come more often. For example, in the last three days alone, smaller tremors were felt in different parts of Balochistan. On Wednesday night, a 4.2 magnitude tremor shook Khuzdar and nearby areas. People came out of their homes and prayed. No damage was reported then either. So this morning’s earthquake is part of a busy few days for the ground in this region.
Pakistan’s own earthquake office, the National Seismic Monitoring Centre in Islamabad, watches these earthquakes day and night. International centers also check the data and update their numbers.
What Should You Do During an Earthquake?
This is the most important part of my article. Please read it slowly and share it with your family. An earthquake can come at any time, and knowing what to do can save lives.
1. Drop, Cover, and Hold. When the ground shakes, drop to the floor. Go under a strong table or desk. Hold on to the table’s leg with one hand and cover your head and neck with the other hand.
2. Stay inside until the shaking stops. Do not run outside while the ground is shaking. Running is dangerous because things can fall on you.
3. Stay away from windows and glass. Glass can break and hurt you. Move to the inner part of the room.
4. If you are outside, go to an open place. Stay away from buildings, walls, trees, and electric wires.
5. If you are in a car, stop the car. Park away from buildings and bridges. Stay inside the car until the shaking stops.
6. After the shaking stops, check yourself and others. Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas, open the windows and leave the house. Do not light a match or a candle.
7. Keep a small emergency bag ready. Put some water, dry food, a torch, and your important papers in a bag near the door. You may need it if your family has to leave the house quickly.
8. Do not believe rumors. After an earthquake, many wrong messages spread on WhatsApp. Only believe news from official sources like Pak Unfiltered, the government, or known TV channels.
A Sad Lesson From This Week
Friends, this earthquake reminds me of a very sad story I wrote about this week. In Peshawar, a school roof fell down and 35 people died, most of them small children. That roof was weak. When buildings are weak, even small shaking or small problems can hurt people badly.
You can read the full story of the Peshawar school roof collapse here.
This is why strong buildings matter so much. Good cement, good design, and honest construction save lives. Our builders, our government, and we as people must care about this.
How Scientists Measure an Earthquake
Let me also explain the numbers quickly, because many readers ask me about this.
Magnitude means the size of the earthquake. A bigger number means a bigger earthquake. A 5.6 magnitude earthquake is called “moderate.” It can break glass, move furniture, and crack weak walls. It rarely destroys strong buildings.
Depth means how deep under the ground the earthquake started. Today’s earthquake was only 10 kilometers deep. That is shallow, and shallow earthquakes are felt more strongly.
The scale for magnitude is special. A 6.0 earthquake is not a little bigger than a 5.0 — it is about 32 times more powerful. This is why scientists say even small increases in the number matter a lot.
What Happens Next After the Khuzdar Earthquake Today?
After a big earthquake, smaller shakes called aftershocks often come. These are smaller than the main earthquake, but they can still frighten people. If you feel a small shake in the next days, do not panic. Just remember the safety steps above.
Officials will keep watching the area. If there is any news about damage or help needed, I will write about it here for you.
Finally, stay safe, stay calm, and keep your family close. Take care.
Do you have questions about the Khuzdar earthquake today? Write to us on our Contact Us page — I read every message and I will try my best to answer you.
