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5.5 aftershock jolts NWFP, Islamabad

By Iqbal Khattak

PESHAWAR: An aftershock measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale jolted Peshawar, Abbottabad, Islamabad, Mansehra and Battagram districts, reported the Met office on Monday.

It was the second severe aftershock since November 6 after a magnitude 6 aftershock hit the NWFP. The epicentre was at Hazara.

There were no reports of any damage but the provincial relief commission feared it might have damaged the houses and buildings already affected in Mansehra and Battagram districts. The Met office in Peshawar has recorded 1,340 mild and 54 moderate aftershocks since October 8. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Army Survey Group has developed a geographic information system containing data and information on the magnitude of the disaster caused by the October 8 earthquake.

“It will help aid agencies to operate in the area by providing them exact data about the population affected. “When this system is linked to the meteorological department, it will provide recommendations and suggestions to aid agencies regarding relief operations to be launched in the affected areas,” said an army official.

Staff report adds from Islamabad: The jolt created a panic among the people. It occurred at a time when most of the people were at work and students were at school. For 11 days, the Met office recorded no jolts of moderate intensity and people were feeling a respite from the aftershocks, which had become a routine phenomenon. But Monday’s jolt frightened the people further.

According to the Met office, the highest intensity aftershock was recorded on November 6 measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale. “The chain of aftershocks is expected to end in the coming days and there is no possibility of a big jolt”, said the Met official.

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