Afghanistan: A magnitude-6.5 earthquake occurs in Jurm at around 21:17 AFT March 21

Event

A magnitude-6.5 earthquake occurred in Jurm at around 21:17 AFT on March 21. The epicenter was approximately 40 km (25 miles) south-southeast of Jurm. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 188 km (116 miles), and light-to-moderate shaking was probably felt throughout northeastern Afghanistan, with moderate-to-strong shaking in southern Tajikistan regions and light-to-moderate shaking felt in northern Pakistan. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are likely over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

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.