LAHORE: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported no loss of life or property across Punjab following an earthquake on Wednesday.

“Initial reports from all districts suggested no damage. Administration, rescue teams and other relevant agencies are in the field. Machinery and personnel have been placed on alert to deal with any potential aftershocks,” says PDMA spokesperson Mazhar Husain.

The earthquake’s magnitude was recorded at 5.7 in Lahore and other districts of Punjab. Its epicentre was Shadiwala in Dera Ghazi Khan, with a depth of 10km, the spokesperson added.

He said PDMA’s provincial control room and district emergency operation centers across Punjab are on 24/7 alert to respond to any emergency.

According to the Meteorological Department, the quake occurred at 7:28am in DG Khan. Cities where tremours were also felt included Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Layyah, DG Khan, Kamalia, Khanewal, Bhalwal, Chiniot, Hafizabad, Toba Tek Singh, Gujrat, Sargodha and Jhang.

Earlier, a 4.5 magnitude earthquake was felt in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, mostly in Swat.

In Dera Ghazi Khan, Rescue 1122 was called to deal with any disaster. Shadiwala is in Basti Buzdar near Wahwa area of Taunsa. Citizens were urged to report any earthquake-related damage to PDMA’s helpline, 1129, for immediate assistance.

DGK Deputy Commissioner Shahid Zaman Luk told Dawn the rescue control room has not received any call of any loss.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2024