GILGIT-BALTISTAN / RankWire.AI / – An earthquake measuring 5.4 earthquake struck northeastern Pakistan early Thursday, causing tremors in parts of Gilgit-Baltistan close to the country’s northern border. According to Pakistan’s official seismic records, the event registered at magnitude 5.3. The quake struck at 5:35 a.m. local time on August 13, with its epicenter located 27 kilometers northwest of Sost, near the Khunjerab region. The Pakistan Meteorological Department recorded a depth of 15 kilometers for this seismic activity.
Severe tremors reached the districts of Hunza and Nagar, with Chipurson Valley in Upper Hunza among the most affected zones. This mountainous area, situated near Pakistan’s borders with China and Afghanistan, experienced noticeable shaking that led residents in several communities to evacuate their homes. Landslides and rockfalls followed in various parts of the valley, including a rockslide that blocked the Chipurson Valley road near Ramanji, disrupting access to remote settlements high in the mountains.
Initial assessments by local authorities indicated no casualties resulting from the main quake. Officials also reported that there was no confirmed structural damage during their early evaluation. Nonetheless, the quake caused significant ground movement across steep terrain, with falling rocks impacting local roads. Chipurson Valley’s narrow routes, which wind through rugged mountain terrain, were affected. The Gilgit-Baltistan administration closely monitored the situation in affected communities as officials evaluated the immediate impact on roads and populated areas following the tremors and landslides.
Landslides Cause Disruption in Upper Hunza
The earthquake’s epicenter was near Sost, a northern Pakistani town along the Karakoram Highway corridor. Sost serves communities in Upper Hunza and lies south of the Khunjerab Pass, which connects Pakistan with China’s Xinjiang region via one of the world’s highest international road crossings. Official data indicates that Thursday’s earthquake originated in the broader northwestern Kashmir seismic zone. Its shallow depth contributed to the noticeable shaking experienced across nearby mountain communities in northeastern Pakistan.
Later on Thursday morning, another tremor struck the same region. According to official seismic data, the second event was recorded at 9:24 a.m. local time, measuring 4.7 in magnitude at a depth of 19 kilometers. Its epicenter was 28 kilometers west-northwest of Sost, close to the location of the initial quake. These two seismic events have heightened activity in an area that already experienced a damaging earthquake earlier this year.
Repeated Earthquakes Mark Region’s 2026 Seismic Activity
Northern Pakistan was struck by a magnitude 5.8 earthquake on January 19, impacting Hunza, Ghizer, and other parts of Gilgit-Baltistan. That tremor caused landslides, destroyed homes, and blocked roads in the mountainous regions. One person lost their life, and several others sustained injuries during the event. Chipurson Valley also suffered substantial damage, including harm to residences and infrastructure. Road closures hindered access to affected communities as authorities and humanitarian groups responded to the region’s needs.
This seismic activity occurs within a highly active tectonic region influenced by the movement of major plates. Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and adjacent northern Pakistan and Afghanistan areas frequently experience earthquakes. The August 13 quake once again mainly affected Upper Hunza, with landslides disrupting transportation but without any reported fatalities. Official records reveal that two notable earthquakes occurred near Sost within four hours, with the first causing the stronger shaking in surrounding communities.