200 families without shelter as earthquake struck parts of Khuzdar
At least 80 houses collapsed when a moderate earthquake struck the Aurnaji area in Khuzdar district on Friday, leaving more than 200 families homeless.
According to the meteorological office, the 5.2 magnitude quake hit the area at 11:55 am, and its epicentre was near Aurnaji.
The earthquake was felt for half a minute, forcing people to get out of their homes in the open, officials said. After the major tremors, the area continued to receive aftershocks at short intervals.
“A large area of Aurnaji was affected by the earthquake that demolished over 80 houses while large cracks appeared in 260 other houses.” retired Major Ilyas Kibzai, the deputy commissioner of Khuzdar, told the media, adding that most of the destroyed houses were made of mud.
The earthquake also affected the villages of Nali, Zamri, Barang, and Nachkan Sonaro Lathi in the Wadh tehsil.
Mr. Kibzai said, “Thankfully, no loss of life was reported as most people were engaged in their regular work away from homes. While those inside were leaving their houses as soon as the shaking started.
He said that more than 200 families were left homeless while their houses were destroyed, adding that shortly after receiving information about the earthquake, relief supplies, including tents, bed linen, food, and drinking water, were sent to those affected by the earthquake.
However, he said, rescue and rescue teams had difficulty reaching the affected villages because they were situated in hilly areas.
‘We sent health care teams with medicines,’ said the Deputy Commissioner, adding that efforts were also underway to provide an emergency shelter for affected families.
At the same time, Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo expressed serious concerns regarding the financial losses caused by the earthquake to the local population and directed the local government and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority to immediately launch an effective relief operation in the affected areas.
The chief minister said the government stood with the affected people in this hard time. He issued directions to provide tents, blankets, and other necessities to the residents of the affected areas.