Weather expert stresses preparedness after 5.2 magnitude earthquake recorded near Karachi

Chief Meteorologist of Karachi, Amir Haider Laghari, stated that it is crucial to provide residents near fault lines with emergency evacuation training and to promote earthquake-resistant construction.

The earthquake in Karachi was caused by movement along the Arabian Plate near the junction of the three plates.

On Tuesday night, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake occurred near Karachi, recorded in the Arabian Plate region. The epicenter, Sonmiani, is located at the junction of three tectonic plates: Arabian, Eurasian, and Indian.

He added that fortunately, the earthquake’s intensity and depth were low, which caused tremors in some areas of Karachi but did not result in a significant impact, as the epicenter near Sonmiani is sparsely populated.

According to Laghari, this is not the first time an earthquake of this magnitude, slightly higher than recent earthquakes, has occurred.

A 5.0 magnitude earthquake had previously been recorded in 2020. The fault lines and tectonic boundaries near Karachi are generally located in shallow areas where very high-intensity earthquakes have not been recorded.

He underlined that this should not lead to complacency. Earthquake preparedness, whether for a tsunami offshore or an earthquake on land, is extremely important. Training and earthquake-resistant construction must be prioritized.

Laghari further explained that fault lines and tectonic boundaries near Karachi can cause earthquakes.

Micro-level studies conducted in Karachi during 2025 showed that minor earthquakes were not felt by the population, although seismographs recorded the activity. Compared to the past, current conditions are different because individuals now choose housing according to their convenience.