On Monday (3rd November 2025), a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan. The epicentre was in the Kholm area near Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan. The earthquake’s depth was reported 28 kilometres.

Seven people are reported to have died so far. In September, , a powerful earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, killing 2,200 people. The tremors, which struck on 3rd November, were felt across Afghanistan as well as parts of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.

Why is Afghanistan vulnerable to earthquakes?

Between the years 2020 and 2025, Afghanistan has been struck by numerous earthquakes. Many of these were of magnitudes of 6.0 or greater. At least 50 earthquakes have been recorded in five years, according to geological agencies and news reports.

According to a Reuters report, at least 355 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.0 or greater have struck Afghanistan since 1990. Over the past 35 years, earthquakes have killed more than 12,000 people.

Official statistics show that earthquakes kill an average of 560 people each year in Afghanistan, resulting in economic losses of approximately $80 million (approximately ₹660 crore).

The cause behind this is analysed to be that Afghanistan is located in a seismic zone where the Indian tectonic plate collides with the Eurasian plate. This collision gives rise to the Hindu Kush and Pamir Mountain ranges that extend to the north and east.

Source:  USGS report

Tectonic plates are large slivers of rock beneath Earth’s surface that slowly move out of place. These plates, 50 to 250 kilometres thick, lie within Earth’s upper layer (lithosphere).

Beneath these plates lies a layer of hot, fluid material called the asthenosphere. When these plates collide, move apart, or move past each other, events such as earthquakes, volcanoes, or mountain formations occur.

The Indian Plate is moving from south to north. Meanwhile, the Eurasian Plate, located to the north, is colliding with the Indian Plate. Furthermore, the Arabian Plate is moving southwest and exerts a small influence.

The Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan frequently experiences earthquakes at depths of approximately 100,000 km. These earthquakes cause minimal damage at the Earth’s surface. However, as the depth decreases, the tremors become stronger and more damaging.

The region surrounding Afghanistan is crisscrossed by numerous active fault lines, which regularly trigger moderate to severe earthquakes. Afghanistan’s geographical location makes it naturally prone to earthquakes.

In five years, Afghanistan lost thousands of lives in earthquakes

Afghanistan has been hit by several devastating earthquakes over the past five years. In October 2023, two magnitude 6.3 earthquakes struck the Herat region, killing over 1,000 people and injuring over 2,000. In August 2025, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, causing over 500 deaths. In November 2025, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck the Kholm region, killing four people and injuring over 60.

On 12th April 2025, a magnitude 5 earthquake struck Pakistan at a depth of 39 km. Furthermore, on April 16th and 19th, earthquakes of magnitudes 5.6 and 5.8 occurred in the Hindu Kush region and along the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border.

Subsequently, on May 10th and June 29th, earthquakes of magnitudes 5.7 and 5.5 struck Pakistan. These also affected Afghanistan. Then, on August 27, a 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan, and on August 19th, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck at a depth of 186 km. On September 1, a magnitude 6 earthquake struck Afghanistan, killing more than 800 people.

Previously, in 2024, a magnitude 5 earthquake struck the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border region on January 5th. This was followed by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan on January 11th. Then, on October 17th, another magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck the same region.

A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region on January 5th, 2023. A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck northern Afghanistan in late March, killing 13 people.

Subsequently, on May 3rd and August 5th, another earthquake of magnitude 5.6 and 5.7 struck the Hindu Kush region. On August 6, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border. Several earthquakes in Afghanistan in October killed several people. On November 15th, a magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border region.

In 2022, a magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck western Afghanistan on January 17th at a depth of 30 km. A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Hindu Kush region on February 5, and a magnitude 6 earthquake struck in June, killing more than 1,000 people.

Two or more earthquakes struck Afghanistan on September 5th and 6th, killing eight people. Then, on December 16, a 4.3 magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Afghanistan.

In 2021, a magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck Afghanistan on May 19th at a depth of 17.6 km. On October 7, an earthquake in southern Pakistan killed at least 15 people.

Similarly, in 2020, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border region on January 22nd. This was followed by a magnitude 5.4 earthquake in the Hindu Kush region on March 5th. In August, a magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan.

Challenges Afghanistan grapples with in tackling with natural disasters

In Afghanistan, disaster management is a major challenge. The country’s international relations have also weakened since the Taliban seized power in 2021.

This political instability, combined with economic crisis and a lack of technical resources, has slowed relief and rescue operations. Rural and mountainous areas are also difficult to reach, hampering relief efforts.

Afghanistan’s friend and saviour India helping earthquake victims

As the earthquake hit Afghanistan, many countries and organizations sent aid to Afghanistan. India sent medicines, tents, and medical teams. Iran and Pakistan provided first aid and shelter in border areas.

On Monday, Indian External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, spoke with his Afghan counterpart and expressed condolences for the loss of lives in the devastating earthquake.

Informing about his conversation with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, Minister Jaishankar said, “Called FM Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi of Afghanistan this afternoon to convey condolences at the loss of lives in the earthquake that struck Balkh, Samangan and Baghlan provinces. Indian relief material for the earthquake impacted communities is being handed over today. Further supplies of medicines to reach soon. Discussed progress in our bilateral relationship since his visit. Welcomed the improving people-to-people contacts between India and Afghanistan. Appreciated the exchange of views on the regional situation.”

The United Nations, the Red Cross, and the WHO provided food, water, medical, and psychological support. However, the amount of relief fell far short of the need, and many affected areas were unable to reach aid in time.

The earthquake in Afghanistan has become not just a natural disaster but a severe humanitarian crisis. The vulnerability of the geological landscape, combined with the country’s weak infrastructure, limited resources, and political challenges, has exacerbated this situation.

To deal with this, it is necessary to give priority to disaster preparedness at the local level, strict building standards and international cooperation.

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