Magnitude 5.7 Earthquake Forces Hundreds to Flee Northern Pakistan
The US Geological Survey measured the tremor at magnitude 5.7, while Pakistan's Meteorological Department recorded it at 5.8.
Persistent aftershocks accompanied by cascading landslides continue terrorizing inhabitants of the tranquil Chipursan valley, where virtually the entire community has been uprooted by Monday's seismic upheaval.
The Chipursan valley—a slender geographic corridor situated approximately 172 kilometers (107 miles) from Hunza district in the Gilgit-Baltistan region—hosts 600 residents and has witnessed over 250 residential buildings and additional structures either destroyed or compromised by the earthquake's force.
"Hardly a few residents are currently living in their houses, otherwise most of the people, including women and children, have taken shelter in tents in this extremely harsh weather," said Qurban Hussain, an official of Local Support Organization, a local NGO working for quake-affected people.
In a telephone conversation with media, Hussain explained that occupants of even partially compromised buildings refuse to return due to intense aftershocks triggering dangerous landslides.
Wednesday's most recent landslide obliterated three additional homes, he reported.
The seismic disaster has demolished numerous livestock barns, compelling the animals—which form the economic foundation of the local community—to endure exposure during subfreezing nights.
"Temperatures (at night) are below zero degrees nowadays, and we have nothing except for these tents to protect ourselves," Munir Ali, one of the hundreds of affected people, told Anadolu by telephone.
Many displaced families are burning firewood to maintain warmth during nighttime hours.
Shabbir Mir, a spokesman for the Gilgit-Baltistan government, confirmed that transportation routes linking earthquake-damaged zones with surrounding regions have been "fully" reopened, with additional emergency shelters and provisions now reaching affected populations.
In remarks to media, he indicated authorities are conducting comprehensive damage assessments to determine compensation for impacted residents.
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