Cracked Walls, Shattered Nerves: A Remote Valley's Ordeal as the Ground Refuses to Rest
by Jan Sher Tajik
The CHIPURSAN VALLEY, HUNZA — A remote and stunning valley in Pakistan's northern Gilgit-Baltistan region is on edge. For weeks, the people of Chipurson have been hearing strange and frightening sounds coming from deep within the earth. Now, a series of earthquakes has damaged homes, cracked walls, and forced terrified families to sleep outside in the freezing autumn nights.
The community is in a state of high alert following a 4.8 magnitude earthquake that struck on the evening of Monday, October 13, 2025. The tremor, which was shallow and centered near the villages of Shehr-e-Sabz and Rashit, sent people running from their houses. Reports from across the valley, including the village of Zoodkhun, describe significant cracks in the walls and ceilings of homes. While no serious injuries have been reported, the damage to property and the psychological toll on residents have been immense.
"The shaking was terrifying," one resident shared. "It felt like the whole mountain was going to come down. We have been hearing strange explosion-like sounds for weeks, but this was different. This was a powerful jolt."
The fear of aftershocks has led many families to abandon their homes, seeking safety in open areas despite the biting cold. The situation is particularly distressing for children and women, who are reportedly suffering from anxiety and sleepless nights. The continuous fear is taking a heavy toll on the mental well-being of the entire community.
Adding to the hardship is a shortage of tents and proper shelter. A few families are sharing the limited tents available, but with winter approaching, the need for safe and warm temporary housing is becoming critical.
The seismic activity is not just confined to Chipursan. Neighboring areas, including the Qurumbar Valley in Ishkoman and the Yarkhoon Valley in Upper Chitral, have also reported tremors and landslides, suggesting a broader area of geological unrest in the mountainous region.
Residents of Chipursan have been pleading with the government and geological experts for help and answers. They have demanded the installation of seismic monitoring equipment to better understand the situation and receive early warnings. While a team from the Geological Survey of Pakistan has reportedly visited the area, their findings have not yet been shared with the anxious public.
The sense of unease was compounded when a scheduled visit by the Deputy Commissioner of Hunza and officials from the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority failed to happen, leaving the community feeling isolated and ignored.
The people of Chipursan Valley are known for their resilience, living in a harsh but beautiful landscape. However, the combination of mysterious sounds from the earth and the very real threat of earthquakes has created a palpable sense of fear. They are now looking to the authorities for immediate support, not just in the form of relief goods, but also for clear information and a long-term plan to ensure their safety in this seismically active region.