Earthquake Of Magnitude 4.2 Strikes Afghanistan
As per the statement, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 47km.
In a post on X, the Afghanistan said, "EQ of M: 4.2, On: 06/08/2025 12:19:18 IST, Lat: 36.54 N, Long: 71.52 E, Depth: 47 Km, Location: Afghanistan."
Earlier on August 2, an earthquake of magnitude 5.5 struck the region at a depth of 87km.
In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 5.5, On: 02/08/2025 02:33:32 IST, Lat: 35.86 N, Long: 69.94 E, Depth: 87 Km, Location: Afghanistan."
On July 29, an earthquake of magnitude 4.8 struck the region at a shallow depth of 10km, making it susceptible to aftershocks.
In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 4.8, On: 29/07/2025 16:54:37 IST, Lat: 35.36 N, Long: 70.66 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Afghanistan."
Shallow earthquakes are generally more dangerous than deep earthquakes. This is because the seismic waves from shallow earthquakes have a shorter distance to travel to the surface, resulting in stronger ground shaking and potentially more damage to structures and greater casualties.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), Afghanistan, noted that the country remains highly vulnerable to natural disasters, including seasonal flooding, landslides and earthquakes.
These frequent earthquakes in Afghanistan cause damage to vulnerable communities, which are already grappling with decades of conflict and under-development and have left them with little resilience to cope with multiple simultaneous shocks, UNOCHA noted.
Afghanistan has a history of powerful earthquakes, and the Hindu Kush Mountain range is a geologically active area where quakes occur every year, according to the Red Cross.
Afghanistan sits on numerous fault lines between the Indian and the Eurasian tectonic plates, with a fault line also running directly through Herat.
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Indian Express
3 hours ago
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Uttarkashi Cloudburst: What UPSC aspirants must-know for Prelims and Mains
UPSC Issue at a Glance is an initiative by UPSC Essentials aimed at streamlining your UPSC Current Affairs preparation for the prelims and mains examinations by focusing on issues making headlines. Every Thursday, cover a new topic in a lucid way. This week, we explain to you the Cloudbursts from a broader perspective. Let's get started. If you missed the previous UPSC Issue at a Glance | Revisiting Chola dynasty and Rajendra I's achievements: Insights into governance, society, architecture, and more from the Indian Express, read it here. On Tuesday (August 5), a sudden flash flood caused by a cloudburst in the Kheer Ganga river catchment area swept away houses, shops and roads, leaving a trail of destruction. Two cloudburst incidents were reported, one in Dharali and another in the Sukhi Top area, resulting in widespread destruction. Dharali bore the brunt of the damage. 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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) defines cloudburst as unexpected precipitation exceeding 100mm (or 10 cm) per hour over a geographical region of approximately 20 to 30 square km. Significant amounts of rainfall such as this can result in floods. Basically, all instances of cloudbursts involve heavy rain in a short period, but all instances of heavy rain in a short period are not cloudbursts if they do not fit this criterion. Cloudbursts are classified as an extreme weather event because the frequency of cloudbursts has increased due to global warming across the world. Extreme precipitation events are increasing in frequency as global temperatures rise, a trend that experts think may be contributing to an increase in cloudbursts. As Amitabh Sinha of The Indian Express explains – 'There is a paucity of past data on cloudbursts; in addition, since only some of them get counted – only those that result in death and destruction – there is a problem of accuracy as well. 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Theoretically, it is not impossible to forecast rainfall over a very small area as well, but it requires a very dense network of weather instruments, and computing capabilities that seem unfeasible with current technologies. As a result, specific cloudburst events cannot be forecast. No forecast ever mentions a possibility of a cloudburst. But there are warnings for heavy to very heavy rainfall events, and these are routinely forecast four to five days in advance. Possibility of extremely heavy rainfall, which could result in cloudburst kind of situations, are forecast six to 12 hours in advance. The rainfall itself does not result in the death of people, though sometimes, the raindrops are big enough to hurt people in a sustained downpour. It is the consequences of such heavy rain, especially in the hilly terrain, that causes death and destruction. Landslides, flash floods, houses and establishments getting swept away and cave-ins lead to the deaths. 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Cloudbursts are more common in hilly areas because of a phenomenon called 'orographic lift', which basically means warm air rising up the side of a mountain. As warm air 'climbs' a mountain, it expands because of the low pressure at higher altitudes. The expanding air cools, releasing the moisture it was holding as rain. However, in many cases, as more and more warm air keeps rising, it prevents that rain till a large amount of rain builds up and bursts out in a massive shower all at once—resulting in a cloudburst. In the mountains, the formation of low-pressure areas at the top attracts clouds with significant force, intensifying the buildup. Additionally, when air coming from the opposite direction collides with the mountain, it can result in a heavy downpour. This is why the height of the mountain matters in this scenario. The air cannot penetrate the mountain. 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In India, flash floods are often associated with cloudbursts. As cloudbursts happen in localised areas and they are difficult to capture accurately, the sudden rain released by a cloudburst can quickly overwhelm drainage systems and lead to flash floods and landslides. Frequently, flash floods are accompanied by landslides, which are sudden movements of rock, boulders, earth or debris down a slope. It is common in mountainous terrains, where there are conditions created for it in terms of the soil, rock, geology and slope. Himalayan states further face the challenge of overflowing glacial lakes, formed due to the melting of glaciers, and their numbers have been increasing in the last few years. An alarming increase in extreme weather phenomena — sudden cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides — that threaten lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems presents the accelerated impacts of climate change. In this context, it becomes essential to take the right measures in the right direction to reduce the risk of future catastrophe. 📍As changing climate has destabilised weather patterns, in order to saving lives and reduce damage during natural disasters effective early warning systems are critical. For the same expanding and modernising weather monitoring infrastructure, especially in the Himalayas and fragile mountain regions, is essential. Establishing more Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and utilising satellite-based observation systems can provide real-time data critical for early warnings. Anjal Prakash explains it: 'AWS and advanced meteorological models can provide real-time data that forecasts extreme weather events well in advance when fed into predictive algorithms. This will allow authorities to issue timely alerts, evacuate vulnerable populations, and mobilise relief efforts before catastrophe strikes. International examples, such as Nepal's pioneering use of early warning systems for mountain disasters, illustrate how technology can mitigate risks when integrated into a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan.' 📍Integrating ecological solutions into broader infrastructure planning is vital. As Anjal Prakash explains 'Instead of relying solely on grey infrastructure (such as dams and embankments), India must embrace ecological solutions — restoring wetlands, mangroves, and natural sponge zones that absorb floodwaters and reduce runoff. These nature-based solutions are cost-effective, sustainable, and adaptable to changing climate conditions. In the mountains, land-use planning must prioritise the preservation of forests and natural buffers that minimise landslides and stabilise slopes. Reforestation and afforestation programs should be expanded, especially in areas prone to erosion. These measures increase the resilience of local ecosystems and communities, helping them withstand climate change shocks.' 📍Climate change adaptation must be embedded within policy frameworks. This involves mainstreaming climate resilience into urban and rural planning, allocating dedicated funds for climate risk assessments, investing in resilient infrastructure, and empowering local communities with knowledge and resources. 📍Community-based disaster management should also be prioritised, particularly in vulnerable rural and hill areas. As residents of particular areas often possess valuable traditional knowledge about weather patterns and natural warning signs, which can be integrated into official early warning systems for more effective responses. Furthermore, strengthening climate resilience through collaboration and innovation is the need of the hour. 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These are sudden and catastrophic floods caused by the failure of natural dams, usually formed by glacial moraines or ice. 2. Thawing of permafrost decreases the risk of GLOFs. 3. Melting of glaciers increases the risk of GLOFs. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None (3) With reference to the Cloudbursts, consider the following statements: 1. Cloudbursts are short-lived extreme weather events in which heavy rainfall occurs over very small areas. 2. They are more common in hilly areas because of a phenomenon called 'orographic lift'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Mains Discuss the causes and effects of cloudbursts, and suggest measures to prevent and mitigate their devastating impacts. (Sources: Uttarkashi Cloudburst News Live Updates, What are cloudbursts, and why they occur more in places like Amarnath, What are flash floods, What are cloudbursts, Why are cloudburst incidents rising across India?, Uttarkashi Cloudburst: What India should do to avoid further climate catastrophe) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
The Hindu
8 hours ago
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Uttarkashi flash floods rescue operation LIVE: 190 people rescued, dozens remain missing from the site
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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Afghanistan earthquake: Two tremors strike region within hours; no damage reported so far
Representative Image (ANI image) An earthquake of 4.4 magnitude struck Afghanistan on Wednesday, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS). The quake occurred at 2:24 pm IST, at a depth of 155 kilometers. The epicenter was located at latitude 36.51°N and longitude 70.70°E within the Afghan territory. This was the second quake recorded today, as seismic activity continues to affect the region. Earlier, a magnitude 4.2 earthquake struck at 12:19 pm IST. It occurred at a depth of 47 kilometers, with the epicenter located at latitude 36.54°N and longitude 71.52°E. This is the latest in a series of earthquakes to hit the region in recent days. On August 2, a stronger earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale struck Afghanistan at a depth of 87 kilometers. Prior to that, on July 29, a 4.8-magnitude earthquake was recorded at a shallow depth of just 10 kilometers. Shallow earthquakes are more dangerous than deep earthquakes. This is so because the seismic waves from shallow earthquakes have a shorter distance to travel to the surface, resulting in stronger ground shaking causing more damage to structures and greater casualties. According to the Red Cross, Afghanistan lies on several fault lines between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, particularly in the Hindu Kush mountain region, making it one of the most earthquake-prone areas in the world. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), Afghanistan warn that frequent quakes continue to pose a serious threat to communities in the country, which are already vulnerable due to decades of conflict and underdevelopment. The organization also noted that the country is highly vulnerable to natural disasters, including seasonal flooding, landslides and earthquakes.
