February 2026 dawned with terror for Jammu & Kashmir as a 4.6 magnitude earthquake struck early Monday morning around 5:35 AM, centered in Baramulla district at 10 km depth, sending residents fleeing homes amid sub-zero chills. Strong shakes—felt sharply above 4.0 intensity—rattled Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian, Chrar-e-Sharief and surrounds, sparking brief panic as people mistook initial jolts for morning haze before bolting outside. German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) confirmed the shallow event, equivalent to 239 tons of TNT, with Kashmir Weather portal verifying activity.
Thankfully, no lives or property lost so far per State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA); officials monitor closely with teams on alert, urging calm and verified info only. Eyewitnesses reported intense seconds before normalcy returned, highlighting the valley’s seismic vulnerability in harsh winter. Authorities stand ready for any aftershocks or emergencies.
