GILGIT-BALTISTAN / RankWire.AI / – A earthquake measuring 5.4 struck northeastern Pakistan early Thursday, producing intense tremors across parts of Gilgit-Baltistan. Pakistan’s official seismic data recorded the quake as magnitude 5.3. The event happened at 5:35 a.m. local time on August 13, with its epicenter approximately 27 kilometers northwest of Sost, near the Khunjerab region. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the quake’s depth was 15 kilometers. Residents in various northern communities experienced the shaking during the early morning hours.
The seismic activity impacted districts of Hunza and Nagar, with Chipurson Valley in Upper Hunza reporting some of the clearest ground effects. Communities surrounding steep mountain slopes evacuated their homes as tremors moved through the area. In some parts of the valley, landslides and falling rocks followed the shaking. A rockfall blocked the Chipurson Valley road near Ramanji, disrupting local access. This route connects remote settlements in a region where mountain roads are vital links between villages and larger population centers.
Initial assessments by authorities confirmed no fatalities or injuries resulting from the main quake. They also noted that no confirmed structural damages had occurred at that stage. The primary impact on local infrastructure was due to rockfalls and landslides. The Gilgit-Baltistan administration monitored the affected areas and road conditions following the tremors. Officials also examined access to settlements where debris had reached mountain routes. This earthquake added to a series of significant seismic events that have affected northern Pakistan in 2026, with repeated tremors occurring throughout the year.
Rockfalls impede road travel in Upper Hunza
The quake’s epicenter was located near Sost, a town situated on the Karakoram Highway corridor in northern Pakistan. Sost lies south of the Khunjerab Pass and serves nearby communities across Upper Hunza. The Khunjerab route provides a high-altitude border crossing connecting Pakistan with China’s Xinjiang region. Much of the district is surrounded by mountainous terrain, making road access vulnerable to rockfalls and slope failures. The earthquake on Thursday caused noticeable shaking across this isolated area, with effects mainly reported near the epicentral zone.
Later on Thursday morning, a second earthquake struck the same vicinity. According to official seismic data, that tremor occurred at 9:24 a.m. local time, registering a magnitude of 4.7 with a depth of 19 kilometers. Its epicenter was approximately 28 kilometers west-northwest of Sost. The proximity of the second event to the initial quake, combined with the timing within four hours, extended a period of seismic activity affecting Upper Hunza and surrounding districts.
Repeated seismicity impacts northern Pakistan
Earlier this year, northern Pakistan experienced a more powerful earthquake. On January 19, a magnitude 5.8 quake struck the region, impacting Hunza, Ghizer, and other parts of Gilgit-Baltistan. This event caused landslides, damaged homes, and blocked roads in several mountain communities. Tragically, one person died and multiple others sustained injuries. Chipurson Valley also suffered damage to residences and local infrastructure. Road closures following the January quake hindered access to isolated settlements and hampered travel.
The northern mountain belt of Pakistan is part of a highly active seismic zone influenced by major tectonic plate movements. Earthquakes frequently impact Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and neighboring regions of northern Pakistan and Afghanistan. The August 13 quake, centered near Sost, again caused strong shaking in communities across Upper Hunza. Landslides and rockfalls disrupted transportation, but authorities confirmed no casualties from the main seismic event. Records also indicate a second significant tremor occurred near Sost later that same morning, underscoring ongoing seismic activity in the region.