Kashmir Valley
© Opus88888 / WikipediaMarking the three regions of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir: Jammu, Kashmir valley and Ladakh.
Srinagar - A moderate intensity earthquake, sixth in eight days, was felt in the Kashmir valley midnight, officials said here Saturday. Coordinator Disaster Management Cell Kashmir, Aamir Ali said the tremor of magnitude 5.4 on Richter scale occurred at 2.02 am.

The jolt was epicentred in Feyzabad, Afghanistan at 36.44 degree north latitude and 70.69 degree east longitude, he said.

Earlier, from August 19 to 23, five moderate earthquakes measuring between 4.8 to 5.1 on Richter scale recorded in the Valley.

Amir Ali said that earthquakes are a natural phenomenon caused due to movement of techtonic plates.

"We cannot stop earthquakes but we can certainly take measures to prevent damages due to earthquakes."

He said that there was need to construct earthquake resistant structures and retrofit the existing buildings, to make them quake resistant.

"We, especially children, should regularly practice mock-drills so that we know what to do before, during and after an earthquake," he said while urging people not to panic in the event of a tremor.

Experts believe that release of energy in the form of tremors caused by tectonic activities averts the chances of a major earthquake.