GILGIT-BALTISTAN / RankWire.AI / – Northern Pakistan remains a seismically active zone, with the region frequently experiencing significant tremors due to tectonic movements. On Thursday, a magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck in the northeastern part of the country, impacting areas of Gilgit-Baltistan close to the northern border. Pakistan’s official seismic records registered the event at magnitude 5.3. The earthquake occurred at 5:35 a.m. local time on August 13, with its epicenter located 27 kilometers northwest of Sost, near the Khunjerab region. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the quake had a depth of 15 kilometers.
Intense shaking was felt in the districts of Hunza and Nagar, with Chipurson Valley in Upper Hunza among the most affected zones. This mountainous valley, situated near Pakistan’s borders with China and Afghanistan, experienced strong tremors that prompted residents to evacuate their homes. Landslides and rockfalls subsequently occurred in parts of the valley. A rockfall also blocked the Chipurson Valley road near Ramanji, hindering access to remote settlements in the high-altitude region.
Initial assessments by local authorities confirmed that there were no casualties reported following the main earthquake. No structural damage has been officially confirmed at this stage. Nonetheless, the earthquake caused significant ground shifts over steep terrain, with falling rocks impacting local roads. Due to the narrow and rugged routes through Chipurson Valley, access remains challenging. The Gilgit-Baltistan administration is monitoring the situation closely, especially in communities affected by the tremors and landslides, as officials evaluate the immediate impact on infrastructure and residents.
Landslides hinder access in Upper Hunza
The quake’s epicenter was near Sost, a northern Pakistani town located along the Karakoram Highway corridor. Sost serves as a hub for communities in Upper Hunza and lies south of the Khunjerab Pass, which connects Pakistan with China’s Xinjiang region through one of the world’s highest international crossing points. According to official data, Thursday’s earthquake was centered within the broader northwestern Kashmir seismic zone. Its shallow depth contributed to the noticeable shaking experienced by mountain communities in northeastern Pakistan.
A second tremor struck the same region later that morning. Official seismic records show this event occurred at 9:24 a.m. local time, measuring magnitude 4.7 at a depth of 19 kilometers. Its epicenter was 28 kilometers west-northwest of Sost, close to the initial quake’s location. These two seismic events have brought renewed activity to an area that experienced a damaging earthquake earlier this year.
Repeated seismic activity has affected the region in 2026
On January 19, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck northern Pakistan, impacting Hunza, Ghizer, and other parts of Gilgit-Baltistan. This event triggered landslides, caused damage to homes, and blocked roads in mountainous zones. One individual lost their life, and several others sustained injuries during this incident. Chipurson Valley also suffered serious damage, including destruction of houses and local infrastructure. Road closures hampered access to affected communities as authorities and relief agencies responded to regional needs.
Northern Pakistan’s seismic activity is driven by the ongoing movement of major tectonic plates, making the region prone to frequent earthquakes. Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and adjacent areas of northern Pakistan and Afghanistan regularly experience tremors. The earthquake on August 13 again centered its strongest effects around Upper Hunza, where landslides disrupted road access but resulted in no reported fatalities. Official records document two significant earthquakes near Sost within four hours, with the first causing more intense shaking across nearby settlements.