• On September 1, 2025, Afghanistan experienced an earthquake of magnitude 6.3 near Jalalabad in Nangarhar province.
  • The tremor was followed by multiple aftershocks, including one of magnitude 4.7, around 140 km from the epicenter.
  • The disaster has left more than 1,400 people dead and at least 3,100 injured.

Epicentre and Affected Areas in Afghanistan

• The primary tremor originated at a shallow depth of eight kilometres, making its impact more destructive.
• The worst-affected provinces are Kunar and Nangarhar, where rescue teams are struggling to locate survivors and retrieve bodies trapped under rubble.
  

Challenges in Relief Operations in Afghanistan

• Limited Resources: Rescue operations are hampered by Afghanistan’s limited resources and poor infrastructure.
• Sanctions: The ruling Taliban regime faces multiple sanctions, which further restricts the flow of international aid and equipment.
• Withdrawal of US: The problem has been compounded since the withdrawal of the United States in 2021, leaving the country more vulnerable to disasters.

International Response

• The United Nations and several international humanitarian agencies have expressed condolences and pledged support.
• Relief efforts are being mobilised to provide medical care, food, and temporary shelters to survivors.

Afghanistan’s Earthquake Vulnerability

• Afghanistan lies in the seismically active Hindu Kush region at the junction of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
• Since 1900, the country has witnessed at least 12 earthquakes with magnitudes above 7 in its north-eastern region.
• In October 2023, Herat province was devastated by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake and aftershocks, which killed over 1,500 people and damaged or destroyed 63,000 homes.

Comparisons with Other Regions

• Despite similar magnitudes, earthquakes cause far less destruction in other parts of the world due to better preparedness.
• In February 2025, Delhi recorded a quake of magnitude 4 at a depth of five kilometres but no physical damage was reported.
• Chile, which frequently faces earthquakes above magnitude 6, suffers minimal damage due to strict enforcement of building codes.

Way Forward For Afghanistan

• Preventive Measures: Earthquakes need not always result in mass casualties if preventive measures are taken.
  • Afghanistan must adopt and strictly enforce earthquake-resistant building codes to minimise future damage.
• Awareness Campaigns: Public awareness campaigns on safety measures and disaster preparedness must be prioritised to reduce vulnerability.

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