The Kashmir earthquake (also known as the Northern Pakistan
earthquake or South Asia earthquake) of 2005 was a major
seismological disturbance (earthquake) that occurred at 08:50:38
Pakistan Standard Time (03:50:38 UTC, 09:20:38 India Standard
Time, 08:50:38 local time at epicenter) on October 8, 2005 with
the epicenter in the Pakistan-administered region of the
disputed territory of Kashmir in South Asia. It registered 7.6
on the moment magnitude scale making it a major earthquake
similar in intensity to the 1935 Quetta earthquake, the 2001
Gujarat Earthquake, and the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
As of 8 November,
the Pakistani government's official death toll was 87,350. Some
estimate that the death toll could reach over 100,000.
Most of the
affected areas are in mountainous regions and access is impeded
by landslides that have blocked the roads. An estimated 3.3
million were left homeless in Pakistan. The UN reported that
more than 4 million people are directly affected, as winter
snows start. Many of them are at risk of dying from cold and the
spread of disease. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz made an appeal to
survivors on 26 October to come down to valleys and cities for
relief. It has been estimated that damages incurred are well
over 5 billion US dollars. Three of the five crossing points
have been opened on the Line of Control (LoC) between India and
Pakistan.
HOW TO HELP -
Pakistan's Ankara Embassy has set up bank accounts to help
victims of the devastating Oct. 8 earthquake.
ZİRAAT BANK -
G.O.P. Branch
YTL Account:
3458112 - 5011
USD Account: 3458112 - 5012
For further information about the Pakistan Earthquake click
here
