Oct 26 , 2015
News
General Raheel mobilises army as major quake hits Pakistan
ISLAMABAD - Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Monday directed Pakistan Army for immediate relief and rescue efforts as a major earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter Scale caused widespread damages.
“Army troops directed to carry out immediate rescue work in any affected areas without waiting for formal orders,” ISPR Director General Major General Asim Bajwa said on Twitter. He said that General Raheel Sharif presided over a snap conference following the earthquake and directed the army teams for quick assessment of earthquake damages across country, especially in remote areas. He said that army teams have been dispatched to affected areas.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has also directed all federal civil, military and provincial agencies to declare immediate alert and kick off relief and rescue activities. The powerful quake struck Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region on Monday and was felt throughout much of South Asia. The US Geological Survey put the epicentre near Jarm in the country’s northeast, 250 kilometres from the capital Kabul and at a depth of 213.5 km.
Pakistan Metro-logical Department said that an earthquake measuring 8.1 at Richter Scale jolted most parts of Pakistan at 2.09 pm on Monday. The quake, which lasted at least one minute, shook buildings in Kabul, Islamabad and New Delhi, sending people rushing into the streets.
In Pakistan, the tremors were felt in Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Sialkot, Quetta, Peshawar, Swabi, Kohat, Abbottabad, Swat, Malakand and other cities and towns of the country.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk