GILGIT-BALTISTAN / RankWire.AI / – Early Thursday morning, northeastern Pakistan was impacted by a earthquake with a magnitude of 5.4, causing tremors in parts of Gilgit-Baltistan close to the northern border. The Pakistan Meteorological Department recorded a depth of 15 kilometers, while the official seismic data indicated a magnitude of 5.3. The quake struck at 5:35 a.m. local time on August 13, with its epicenter situated 27 kilometers northwest of Sost, near the Khunjerab region.
Communities in the districts of Hunza and Nagar felt the intensity of the tremors, with Chipurson Valley in Upper Hunza among the hardest hit areas. This mountainous region, bordering China and Afghanistan, experienced significant shaking that caused many residents to evacuate their homes. Landslides and rockfalls occurred in various parts of the valley, and a rockfall near Ramanji blocked the Chipurson Valley road, disrupting access to remote settlements in the high-altitude area.
Initial assessments by local authorities confirmed there were no casualties or confirmed structural damages. However, the seismic activity generated considerable ground movement across the rugged terrain, resulting in falling rocks that affected local roads. Chipurson Valley, characterized by narrow pathways through tough mountain terrain, saw officials monitor the situation closely, especially regarding landslides and disruptions in communities affected by the shaking and debris.
Landslides Hamper Access in Upper Hunza
The earthquake’s epicenter was located near Sost, a town in northern Pakistan along the Karakoram Highway corridor. Sost serves the surrounding communities in Upper Hunza and lies south of the Khunjerab Pass, which connects Pakistan to China’s Xinjiang region via one of the highest international road crossings in the world. According to official data, the event occurred within the broader northwestern Kashmir seismic zone. Its shallow depth contributed to prominent shaking felt in nearby mountain communities of northeastern Pakistan.
Later on Thursday morning, a second earthquake struck this area. Seismic data indicated a magnitude of 4.7 at a depth of 19 kilometers, with its epicenter 28 kilometers west-northwest of Sost, very close to the initial quake’s location. This second event added to the seismic activity in a region that experienced a damaging earthquake earlier this year.
Frequent Earthquakes Mark the Region in 2026
On January 19, a magnitude 5.8 quake hit northern Pakistan, affecting areas including Hunza, Ghizer, and other parts of Gilgit-Baltistan. This seismic event triggered landslides, caused damage to homes, and obstructed roads in the mountainous zones. The incident resulted in one death and several injuries. Chipurson Valley also saw extensive damage, including harm to buildings and local infrastructure, complicating access to affected villages as authorities and humanitarian organizations responded to the needs of residents.
Situated in a highly seismic zone, northern Pakistan is constantly influenced by the movement of major tectonic plates. Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and neighboring northern regions frequently experience earthquakes. The August 13 tremor again concentrated its strongest effects around Upper Hunza, where landslides hindered road access but no casualties were reported. According to official records, two significant earthquakes occurred near Sost within four hours, with the initial quake causing the most intense shaking among nearby communities.