Afghanistan: Response operations ongoing Jan. 18 following 5.3-magnitude earthquake in Badghis Province /update 1

Event

Officials in Bagdhis Province are continuing response operations Jan. 18 following a 5.3-magnitude earthquake the previous day which has caused casualties and damage in the region. The earthquake occurred in Qadis District, with damage also reported in Muqr District and minor damage to homes occurred in the provincial capital Qala-e-Naw. As of Jan. 18, authorities have reported that at least 26 people have been killed and four others injured by the earthquake. Initial reports indicate that between 700 and 1,000 homes have been damaged across the province. Authorities have warned that due to the remote and mountainous nature of the region it may take some time to assess the full extent of the earthquake's impact and the death toll could rise over the coming days.

The magnitude-5.3 earthquake occurred in Badghis Province at 16:10 Jan. 17 and was preceded by a smaller earthquake. The epicenter was about 41 km (25 miles) east of Qala-e-Naw. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 19 km (12 miles) and shaking was reportedly felt across Badghis, Herat, and Ghor provinces. Heavy rainfall over the previous days had rendered mudhouses in the area more prone to damage by the earthquake and has hampered rescue operations. Utility outages are likely, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter. Light aftershocks are likely over the coming days.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.