The Afghan community in Delhi is reeling from anxiety and grief following a 6.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Kunar province near Jalalabad, Afghanistan, killing at least 610 people and injuring over 1,300.

As communication lines remain disrupted, migrants like Asim, a 20-year-old dry fruit seller, have spent sleepless nights trying to contact family members in the affected areas. “I kept trying to call my parents, but the phone just didn’t go through. I can only pray my grandmother is safe,” Asim said, reflecting the distress felt across Delhi’s Afghan diaspora.

The quake, which flattened entire villages in eastern Afghanistan, has left many in Delhi, such as Farzan, 24, unable to reach relatives. “I have made at least 100 calls by now,” he said, noting that the lack of communication has halted daily routines.

For others, like Nasir Khan, a 35-year-old restaurant worker, the disaster rekindles painful memories of past losses. “There is simply no way to know if they are safe,” he said, recalling a cousin’s death in a previous quake. Kareem, a waiter, and Mohammed Waseem, a driver, echoed similar sentiments, with the latter noting the proximity of his former Kabul home to the epicenter.

With patchy updates trickling through news reports, Delhi’s Afghan migrants cling to hope, praying for the safety of loved ones. The tragedy underscores the challenges of staying connected across borders, leaving the community in a state of helpless anticipation as they await news from their devastated homeland.

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