Strong tremors jolted Balochistan’s Musakhel district and surrounding areas early Sunday morning, causing widespread panic and property damage.

According to the Seismological Centre, the earthquake measured 5.5 on the Richter scale, with a depth of 28 kilometres. The epicenter was located 56 km northeast of Musakhel.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported that at least 21 houses were completely destroyed, while five others sustained partial damage.

Four individuals were injured due to collapsing structures and were immediately shifted to local hospitals for medical treatment.

In response to the tremors, residents rushed out of their homes in fear, spending several hours in open fields.

The district administration has deployed relief teams to the affected areas, and efforts are ongoing to assess the full extent of the damage.

No fatalities from the quake have been reported so far. However, authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant due to the risk of aftershocks.

Elsewhere in Barkhan district, tremors were also felt in Rakhni, Chappar, Mehama, Samand Khan, and Rarkan, spreading further fear among the population.

Another earthquake recorded at 5.3 magnitude and 10 km depth caused damage to walls, ceilings, and electric poles, disrupting power supply in some areas.

Flash floods compound crisis; 4 dead in rain-hit districts

In addition to the earthquakes, heavy rainfall brought by seasonal monsoons wreaked havoc across several districts.

Flash floods were reported in Zhob, Musakhel, and Harnai, where four people lost their lives.

Downpours were recorded in Dera Bugti, Sibi, Mastung, Kalat, Uthal, Winder, and Musakhel, while Harnai and Zhob saw both light and heavy rainfall.

The sudden deluge inundated low-lying areas, disrupting daily life and damaging infrastructure. Connectivity was severed in several locations as floodwaters damaged link roads.

According to the Meteorological Department, more rainfall is expected over the next 24 hours.

In Harnai, several individuals stranded in a flooded stream were successfully rescued and relocated to safer ground.

Emergency response teams remain active, and authorities have advised residents to avoid riverbanks and vulnerable areas amid continuing risks of flooding and aftershocks.