• Ominous Signs: From 7 tremors in 2010, the number of earthquakes felt in the State reached 27 in 2015
• 105 minor and major tremors have jolted J&K since 2009
The graph of earthquakes hitting Jammu and Kashmir has reached all time high with 27 tremors felt in the state last year.As per the official data, 105 minor and major tremors have jolted the state since 2009. The threat of earthquake looms large in the state, particularly in the areas coming under Seismic Zone V.
As per the Meteorological department’s data, nine earthquakes jolted Jammu and Kashmir in 2009, seven each in 2010 and 2011, and 11 in 2012. In 2013, the number of earthquakes went upto 25. Nineteen quakes hit the state in 2014.
According to the data, as many as 27 earthquakes were recorded in 2015, of which 19 were of “significant” intensity and eight of minor intensity.
The rising graph of earthquakes has become a matter of serious concern for the experts. They have cautioned that major quakes can hit the state any time due to the deformation of tectonic plates owing to frequent earthquakes in Hindukush region of Afghanistan.
Head of Earth Sciences Department, University of Kashmir, Prof Shakil Ahmad Romshoo told us that the frequent earthquakes in Hinduhush region of Afghanistan pose grave threat to J&K.
“Earthquakes which occurred recently in the state had epicenter in same region. Though the epicenter was deep still the State was shaken. J&K is vulnerable to earthquakes and if the epicenter in not deep it can prove disastrous for us,” he said.
According to Indian Meteorological department, most of the parts of district Srinagar, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Budgam, Anantnag and parts of Jammu region like Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar come under Seismic Zone V and are prone to earthquakes. Rest of the parts of the state come under Seismic Zone IV.
Prof Romshoo said as J&K falls in Seismic Zone of IV and V, people should be well prepared for earthquakes. “We can’t predict the timing, magnitude and place of an earthquake, but we can reduce the loss of life and property with advanced preparation,” he added.
Speaking to us, meteorologist, Farooq Ahmad Bhat told that more than 90 percent of the earthquakes felt in J&K were epicentered in Hindukush region. “Though the place is far away from our state, but we can’t rule out major threat due to frequent earthquakes in Hindukush region,” he cautioned.
“So there is always a threat if there is any major earthquake in the Hindukush region,” Bhat added.
He said the number of earthquakes felt in J&K reached all time high in 2015. “Science has not advanced to the extent that we can predict timing and place of earthquake before it occurs. We even can’t predict whether there will be more earthquakes in 2016 than 2015,” Bhat added.
As per the monthly data of 2015, two tremors hit the state in the month of February followed by a quake in March. The state was rattled due to four tremors in the month of April including the powerful earthquake of April 25 which measured 7 on the Richter Scale.
In May 2015 earthquakes shook J&K twice, once in June and four tremors hit the state again in July. Two to three mild to moderate tremors occurred in August and September.
Three people lost their lives when a powerful tremor hit the state on October 26, 2015. It measured 7.5 on Richter Scale. One more quake hit the state in the same month.
In November, the state was rattled thrice. In December also, tremors jolted the state on three occasions, including the powerful earthquake on the 26th night of the month measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale in which two people died of heart attack.
