HYDERABAD, April 16: Almost all major towns across the province experienced mild jolts like the rest of the country which were caused by a powerful earthquake that hit an Iranian town near Pakistan’s border area on Tuesday.

The tremors were felt at around 3:44pm in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Khairpur, Badin, Mithi, Dadu, Tando Mohammad Khan, Thatta, Tando Allahyar, Jamshoro, Matiari, Mirpurkhas and Umerkot.

In Hyderabad, frightened people vacated their houses for a while but no causality was immediately reported from any area.

Tremors of the gigantic quake lasted for a few seconds across Hyderabad and other districts, forcing people to come out of houses, offices and workplaces.

There was a terrible panic in each and every locality and people were chanting “Allaho Akbar” (Allah is Great) and calling Azans. Many families living in plazas ran out of their apartments in fear, leaving their doors unlocked.

Many women, girls, children and old men outside buildings were seen crying and praying to Almighty Allah for mercy.

A resident of Sarfaraz Colony, Abdul Jameel Khan, said he was lying when he felt that the bed was being dragged, ceiling fan of the bedroom started shaking and the power went off at the time of quake.

Then he heard noise of people coming out of their buildings in the neighbourhood. He said he was afraid of crying and shouting outside. He asked his family members to go out because building could collapse.

Jameel said he could not realise initially that what it was, but when his neighbours shouted “go out”, then he realised that it was a quake.

People of Hyderabad remained in fear for hours while many complained of severe headache.

Localities of Hyderabad where strong quake jolts were felt included Saddar, Gul Centre, Garhi Khata, Sarfaraz Colony, Resham Bazaar, Pakka Qilla, Fakir Ka Pir, Hirabad, localities of Qasimabad, Sehrish Nagar, Naseem Nagar, Wadhuwa Road, all units of Latifabad and rural taluka of Hyderabad Tandojam and others. There was a chaotic situation outside highrise buildings of the district. Many household goods were damaged in the earthquake.

SUKKUR: People of Sukkur, Shikarpur, Jacobabad and Kandhkot-Kashmore district felt the jolts of earthquake on Tuesday.

According to reports reaching here, people came out of their houses and shops amid fear and tension. Most of them were seen praying to Allah while many were busy on mobile phones asking about the well-being of their relatives.

No reports regarding loss of lives and properties in these towns were reported.

BADIN: A moderate earthquake shook the District Headquarters Town of Badin and its coastal areas on Tuesday.

Tremors were felt at 3:37pm in Golarchi, Matli, Tando Bago, Nindo Shaher, Kadhan towns, but no damages or causalities were reported.

Badin has been hit by the quake twice within two weeks.

People came out of houses and shops in fear while many were seen running on roads.

KHAIRPUR: The earthquake hit various parts of district Khairpur at about 3:45pm. Jolts were felt in various villages of Kingri, including Pir Jo Goth town. A shepherd from a village of Kingri taluka told this reporter that he was having tea at a restaurant when the bench he was sitting on started shaking. Another villager said he was home when he felt his house was shaking. In Khairpur city, some citizens came out of their homes. It is reported that some buildings in Pakka Chang area have developed minor cracks. Reports from Gambat and Ranipur also said that residents left their homes in fear whereas some people who were travelling said they felt uneasy while driving. However, no loss of life or property was reported. MITHI: Light tremors of the earthquake were felt in Mithi and other areas of Tharparkar district at about 3:45pm for about a minute. The tremors created panic among the people who ran out of their homes for safety. DADU: Tremors jolted various parts of Dadu and Jamshoro districts, causing tension among people on Tuesday. Tremors were felt twice within a minute in Dadu, Johi, Khairpur Nathan Shah, Mehar, Sehwan, Kotri areas. People came out of their houses and passed time on roads. Some houses developed cracks but there was no report of casualties. THATTA: The quake hit Thatta town and adjoining areas at 3:45pm, forcing people in the town to run outside in the open. People were panicked and shaken beyond words but no untoward incident or eventuality was reported from any part of the district. MIRPURKHAS: Terrified people ran for life to the open areas after jolts hit the town. Many of them started prayers. However, there was no report of any damage from any part of the town. Jolts were also felt in Mirwah Gorchani, Digri, Tando Jan Mohammad, Jhuddo, Naokot, Jhilori, Kot Ghulam Muhammad, Sindhri, Hingorno, Phuladyyoon, Khaan etc. UMERKOT: Tremors were felt in Umerkot, Samaro, Pithoro, Kunri, Dhoronaro, Nabisar, Chhor Cantoment, Khokhrapar and other adjoining areas. People came out of their buildings, houses, shops in fear but luckily there was no loss of life.