Karachi is expected to experience more mild earthquakes over the next two to three days, according to Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Director General Mahr Sahibzad Khan. He said the quakes are not dangerous and urged residents not to panic.
Over the past three days, 19 minor earthquakes have shaken the city, with magnitudes ranging between 2.1 and 3.6 on the Richter scale. The strongest quake, measuring 3.6, occurred on Sunday, while Tuesday’s tremor was recorded at 2.6.
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Speaking on Dawn News, the Met chief said these low-intensity earthquakes are happening due to illegal groundwater pumping by the so-called tanker mafia and the natural presence of fault lines in areas like Korangi and Malir. He explained that Karachi has limited groundwater, and the removal of hard rock has left mostly sand, which makes the land unstable. This pumping activity over fault lines is triggering what he called “induced earthquakes.”
He added that the recent tremors were felt more strongly in areas close to the epicentre. Referring to the recent collapse of Malir jail’s boundary wall, he said its location near the epicentre led to more damage.
The Met chief assured that while mild quakes may continue briefly, their intensity is decreasing and the fault line is not highly active.
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