Srinagar, Feb 2: An earthquake of magnitude 4.7 on the Richter scale shook the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir early Monday morning, causing panic in various parts of the Valley, officials said.
The earthquake struck at around 5:35 am, and its epicenter was in the Pattan region of Baramulla district. The initial inputs from the Android Earthquake Alerts System suggested that the epicenter of the earthquake was about five kilometers away from Hanjiwera Bala.
The earthquake shook a large area, including Srinagar, Baramulla, Sopore, Ganderbal, Pulwama, and other areas. The affected area also included parts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), sources said.
People in various parts of the Valley reported waking up to the shock of the earthquake in the pre-dawn hours. Many people rushed out of their homes in panic, while windows, doors, and other household items shook in various areas, causing a brief panic.
Though the earthquake was quite strong, officials said that there were no reports of any loss of life or damage to property.
Earthquakes are not uncommon in Jammu and Kashmir, which lies in a seismically active zone. Officials have urged people to follow standard safety guidelines during such events and avoid panic.
Further assessments are underway to rule out any aftershocks or structural damage in vulnerable areas.
