Moderate intensity quake rocks Kashmir

Srinagar, March 31 (IANS) A moderate intensity temblor rocked Kashmir Saturday morning, sending panic stricken locals rushing out of their homes and workplaces.

"An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale with coordinates 36.0 degrees north (Latitude) and 71.3 degrees east (longitude) with epicenter in the Hindukush mountain range of Afghanistan rocked Kashmir at 9.47 a.m. today", an official of the local MET office told IANS.

Many locals said they felt the earth shake under their feet.

"I rushed out of my shop and found fellow shopkeepers also panicky," said Muhammad Ismail, a shopkeeper in the Lal Chowk area of the city.

While reports of the shock waves being felt by the residents indicate the tremor was noticed in many north and south Kashmir areas, Aamir Ali, officer on special duty at the divisional headquarters said no damage to life and property has so far been reported from anywhere.

On Oct 8, 2005 a quake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale had jolted Kashmir, killing over 40,000 people across the line of control (LOC) that divides the state into Indian and Pakistan administered parts.

Geologically, Kashmir is situated in a seismic belt where vulnerability to earthquakes is more than other places in south Asia.