The troubles continue for Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s troubles hardly seem to be over. As the country is grappling with challenges to see-off the difficult phases it had to witness over the past five decades or so, natural calamities are putting it to further tests.
This week as the country lost around 25 people to a fresh earthquake, survivors are seen digging through the rubble of their homes trying to salvage what belongings they could after spending the last few nights outside in the bitter cold.
The 6.3 magnitude quake struck just before 1 a.m. local time Monday, with an epicentre 22 kilometres (14 miles) west-southwest of the town of Khulm in Samangan province. By early Tuesday afternoon, the death toll stood at 27, while another 956 people were injured.
The tremor also damaged historical sites, including Afghanistan’s famed Blue Mosque in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif, which is one of Afghanistan’s most revered religious landmarks, and the Bagh-e-Jahan Nama Palace in Khulm.
Notably, in August this year, a quake in eastern Afghanistan killed more than 2,200 people.
The World Health Organisation also claimed that partial damage had been reported in several health facilities, while the laboratory at the Samangan Provincial Hospital had collapsed, destroying critical medical equipment.
Impoverished Afghanistan often faces difficulty in responding to natural disasters, especially in remote regions. Buildings tend to be low-rise constructions, mostly of concrete and brick, with homes in rural and outlying areas made from mud bricks and wood, many poorly built.
Ironically, Afghanistan is prone to earthquakes due to its location in a seismically active region. The country is situated near the boundary between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The collision between these plates creates stress in the Earth’s crust, leading to earthquakes.
Besides, the country’s rugged terrain, including the Hindu Kush and Pamir mountain ranges, is a result of the tectonic plate movement. This region is considered one of the most seismically active in the world.
Afghanistan has several active faults, including the Chaman Fault and the Main Pamir Thrust Fault, which can produce significant earthquakes.
The region’s complex geological history, with multiple tectonic events, has created a fragile crust that is more susceptible to earthquakes.
These factors contribute to Afghanistan’s high earthquake risk, making it essential for the country to be prepared for seismic events and to have effective disaster response plans in place.
Since Afghanistan is still creating infrastructure needed to fight such situations, its neighbours especially India can contribute by helping the country to create disaster responsive management so that such eventualities are taken care of.
