Moderate quake hits Kashmir Valley

An earthquake of moderate intensity hit the Kashmir Valley Thursday, but no damage to life or property was reported.

Sonam Lotus, director of the weather office, told IANS that the earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale occurred just after noon.

“Its epicentre was in Hindukush region of Afghanistan with latitude 36.1 degrees north and longitude 71.6 degrees east. The depth of the quake was 233.7 km at the epicentre,” the official said.

The valley is situated in a region which has suffered devastating earthquakes.

On Oct 8, 2005, a quake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale killed more than 40,000 people on both sides of the Line of Control that divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan.