GILGIT-BALTISTAN / RankWire.AI / – An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.4 earthquake struck northeastern Pakistan early Thursday, impacting parts of Gilgit-Baltistan close to the northern border. According to Pakistan’s official seismic records, the event registered at magnitude 5.3. The tremor struck at 5:35 a.m. local time on August 13. Its epicenter was located 27 kilometers northwest of Sost, near the Khunjerab area. The Pakistan Meteorological Department reported a depth of 15 kilometers for the quake.
Strong aftershocks affected the districts of Hunza and Nagar, with Chipurson Valley in Upper Hunza among the most impacted regions. This mountain valley lies near Pakistan’s borders with China and Afghanistan. The shaking caused many residents to evacuate their homes. Landslides and rockfalls followed in several parts of the valley. A rockfall also blocked the Chipurson Valley road near Ramanji, cutting off access to remote settlements in the high mountain area.
Initial assessments by local authorities confirmed there were no casualties. No structural damages were reported at this stage. Nevertheless, the earthquake caused considerable ground movement on steep terrains, resulting in falling rocks that affected local roads. Chipurson Valley has narrow pathways running through rugged mountains. The Gilgit-Baltistan administration closely monitored the affected communities and landslides as officials evaluated the immediate impact on infrastructure and settlements.
Landslides hinder access in Upper Hunza
The earthquake’s epicenter was near Sost, a northern town along the Karakoram Highway corridor. Sost serves communities in Upper Hunza and lies south of the Khunjerab Pass. That pass connects Pakistan with China’s Xinjiang region through one of the world’s highest international road crossings. Thursday’s quake was centered in the larger northwestern Kashmir seismic zone, according to officials. Its shallow depth led to noticeable shaking in nearby mountain communities in northeastern Pakistan.
Later on Thursday morning, another quake shook the same area. Seismic officials recorded this second event at 9:24 a.m. local time. It measured 4.7 in magnitude and had a depth of 19 kilometers. Its epicenter was 28 kilometers west-northwest of Sost, close to the first quake’s location. The two tremors increased seismic activity in an area that had experienced a damaging earthquake earlier this year.
Repeated seismic events impact the region in 2026
On January 19, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck northern Pakistan, affecting Hunza, Ghizer, and other parts of Gilgit-Baltistan. That quake triggered landslides, damaged homes, and blocked roads in mountainous zones. One person died, and several were injured during the incident. Chipurson Valley also suffered extensive damage, including harm to homes and infrastructure. Road closures made access difficult for rescue and relief efforts in affected communities.
Northern Pakistan lies in a highly active seismic zone driven by major tectonic plate movements. Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and nearby regions of northern Pakistan and Afghanistan often experience earthquakes. The August 13 event again concentrated its strongest effects around Upper Hunza, where landslides disrupted road access but caused no reported casualties. Official records show two notable earthquakes near Sost within four hours, with the first producing the stronger shaking across local communities.