An earthquake of 4.2-magnitude on the Richter scale struck parts of north Kashmir on Friday, officials said. According to National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the epicenter of the earthquake was 34.32°N, 74.41°E in Baramulla with a depth of 5 km. However, there was no immediate report of any loss or life or property. Jammu and Kashmir falls in seismic Zone-IV and V and is vulnerable to natural disasters, especially earthquakes. At least 79, 000 people died and thousands of buildings collapsed in 2005 earthquake which struck Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The devastating earthquake, measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, struck at 8:50 AM local time (03:50 UTC), with its epicentre located 12 miles (19 km) northeast of Muzaffarabad, on October 8, 2005.
