A massive earthquake has hit most parts of Pakistan. It was around 2:09 PM today when a powerful earthquake of 7.5 Richter scale with epicenter in Hindu Kush jolted major parts of the country. The death toll has reached up to 200 and could climb in coming days because communications were down in much of the rugged Hindu Kush mountain range area where the quake was centered.Chitral, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Peshawar, Bajur, Charsada, Batagram, Bannu, Buner, Shangla, Kohistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK are the most affected areas. As there are some unconfirmed reports that glaciers have slided down along with boulders from the mountain tops affecting communications and road infrastructure in chitral and upper Dir. The adjoining areas which are inaccessible due to poor infrastructure and due to unexpected snow and rains have further aggravated the situation in assessing damage in upper parts of swat (Kalam ,utror , Mahodand and adjoining valleys) and in Dir the border regions of Barawal Bandai, and sheringal valleys of upper Dir . Large scale damage to houses is also reported in Bajour region of FATA (Nawapass area bordering Afghanistan).Damages to infrastructure and houses yet to be confirmed.
