GILGIT-BALTISTAN / RankWire.AI / – The earthquake measuring magnitude 5.4 hit northeastern Pakistan early Thursday, causing noticeable tremors in parts of Gilgit-Baltistan. Pakistan’s official seismic authority recorded the event as a magnitude 5.3. The quake struck at 5:35 a.m. local time on August 13, with its epicenter approximately 27 kilometers northwest of Sost, near the Khunjerab region. The Pakistan Meteorological Department estimated the depth at 15 kilometers. Across several northern communities, residents felt the ground shake during the early morning hours.
The tremor impacted districts of Hunza and Nagar, with Chipurson Valley in Upper Hunza experiencing some of the clearest signs of ground effects. Communities surrounded by steep mountain slopes evacuated their homes as the seismic activity moved through. Landslides and falling rocks followed in parts of the valley. 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 indicated no casualties or injuries caused by the main quake. There was also no confirmed structural damage reported at that time. The primary impacts on infrastructure were landslides and rockfalls. The Gilgit-Baltistan administration kept a close watch on affected areas and road conditions following the tremor. Officials also examined access routes to settlements where debris had reached mountain roads. This seismic event marks another significant shake in a part of northern Pakistan that has experienced recurrent tremors throughout 2026.
Rockfalls Block Routes in Upper Hunza
The epicenter was located near Sost, a town situated along the Karakoram Highway corridor in northern Pakistan. Sost lies south of the Khunjerab Pass and serves communities across Upper Hunza. The Khunjerab route connects Pakistan with China’s Xinjiang region via a high-altitude border crossing. The mountainous terrain surrounds much of the district, making road access vulnerable to rockfalls and slope failures. The earthquake on Thursday caused noticeable shaking in this remote area, with effects mostly reported around communities closest to the epicenter.
Later on Thursday morning, a second earthquake struck the same general vicinity. According to official seismic data, this tremor occurred at 9:24 a.m. local time, measuring magnitude 4.7 with a depth of 19 kilometers. Its epicenter was approximately 28 kilometers west-northwest of Sost, placing it close to the earlier event. Both tremors occurred within about four hours, contributing to ongoing seismic activity in Upper Hunza and nearby districts.
Repeated Seismic Events Rock Northern Pakistan
Northern Pakistan experienced a more powerful quake earlier this year, with a magnitude 5.8 event on January 19 affecting Hunza, Ghizer, and other parts of Gilgit-Baltistan. That quake triggered landslides, caused damage to homes, and blocked roads in several mountain communities. One individual lost their life, and several others were injured. Chipurson Valley also sustained damage to residences and infrastructure. Road closures following the January event complicated access and travel between isolated settlements.
The northern mountain belt of Pakistan is part of a highly active seismic zone driven by significant tectonic plate movements. Earthquakes frequently impact Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and neighboring regions of northern Pakistan and Afghanistan. The August 13 quake again centered near Sost, delivering strong shaking to communities in Upper Hunza. While landslides and rockfalls impeded road access, authorities confirmed no casualties from the main quake. Records also show a second notable tremor near Sost later that morning, adding to the ongoing seismic activity in the area.