KALAT: Moderate earthquake tremors were felt in several areas of Kalat and Khuzdar districts on Friday, sending waves of panic among residents, officials said.
According to the Seismological Center, the earthquake registered a magnitude of 4.8 on the Richter scale, with a depth of 11 kilometers. The epicenter was located near Zehri, approximately 50 kilometers southeast of Kalat.
The tremors prompted citizens to rush out of their homes and offices in fear, though no immediate loss of life or property has been reported, according to initial assessments. Relevant agencies continue to monitor the situation closely.
Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious but not to panic, as aftershocks cannot be ruled out.
Meanwhile in a separate development, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a weather alert forecasting thunderstorms, strong winds, and possible hailstorms in various parts of the country over the next 12 to 24 hours, warning of potential risks due to rainfall.
According to the advisory, several areas of Sindh—including Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal, Umerkot, Mithi, Tharparkar, and Mirpurkhas—are likely to experience rain accompanied by gusty winds and thunderstorms.
Similar weather conditions are expected in parts of Balochistan such as Zhob, Quetta, Ziarat, Kalat, Qila Saifullah, Pishin, Mastung, Barkhan, Qila Abdullah, Chaman, and Nushki.
The alert further states that Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir regions, including Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Diamer, Astore, Khaplu, Shigar, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Haveli, Poonch, Neelum Valley, Kotli, Mirpur, and Bhimber, may also experience rain, strong winds, and hailstorms.
Snowfall is also expected in some higher altitude areas.
