Another earthquake in Afghanistan: 4.8 magnitude jolts region; fourth tremor in three day

Afghanistan was shaken again on Thursday as a 4.8-magnitude earthquake struck the country, the National Center for Seismology (NCS) reported. The tremor occurred at a depth of 135 km.In a post on X, the NCS said: “EQ of M: 4.8, On: 04/09/2025 10:40:56 IST, Lat: 34.38 N, Long: 70.37 E, Depth: 135 Km, Location: Afghanistan.”This follows a shallow 4.3-magnitude earthquake that hit Afghanistan late Wednesday night at a depth of 10 km, making it more susceptible to aftershocks. The NCS had tweeted: “EQ of M: 4.3, On: 03/09/2025 23:53:44 IST, Lat: 36.86 N, Long: 71.18 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Afghanistan.”Shallow earthquakes are generally more dangerous than deep ones, as seismic waves reach the surface more quickly, causing stronger ground shaking and potentially more damage and casualties.Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies are stepping up relief efforts in the quake-stricken regions. The World Food Programme (WFP) has sent emergency aid to Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, where over 1400 people have been killed and more than 3000 injured, news agency ANI reported quoting Khaama Press. WFP’s regional director Harald Mannhardt described the devastation: "Homes reduced to rubble, roads destroyed, landslides everywhere, and tragically, lives lost."He added that rescue teams are working alongside relief efforts and are prepared to expand operations as needs grow. However, rescue operations are being hampered by blocked roads, rugged terrain and repeated aftershocks.The humanitarian crisis is further compounded by recent flash floods and worsening weather conditions, leaving already vulnerable communities at risk.On Tuesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced that Indian earthquake assistance had reached Kabul by air."Indian earthquake assistance reaches Kabul by air. 21 tonnes of relief materials, including blankets, tents, hygiene kits, water storage tanks, generators, kitchen utensils, portable water purifiers, sleeping bags, essential medicines, wheelchairs, hand sanitisers, water purification tablets, ORS solutions and medical consumables, were airlifted today," he said in a post on X.