Significant magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck the Chipurson Valley On 19 Jan

On January 19, 2026, a powerful 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck the heart of the valley

The aftermath of the earthquake in Zoodkhun (Piyar Ali House). Photo: Salman Aziz

Chipursan Valley Earthquake 2026: Survival and Resilience in Hunza’s Remotest Corner

Deep in the Karakoram, where the borders of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan converge, lies the Chipursan Valley. Known for its rugged beauty and ancient Wakhi heritage, this remote corridor in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Hunza District is currently facing one of its greatest challenges in living memory.

On January 19, 2026, a powerful 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck the heart of the valley, leaving a trail of destruction that has transformed this tranquil landscape into a zone of humanitarian crisis.

Earthquake damage at the residence of Faiz, Shetmerg. Photo: Salman Aziz

The Heart of the Impact: Zoodkhun and Shetmerg

While tremors were felt across Hunza, the villages of Zoodkhun and Shetmerg bore the brunt of the seismic energy. Initial assessments from the Chipurson Local Support Organization (CLSO) paint a harrowing picture:

Displacement: Over 300 houses have been partially or fully destroyed.
Total Loss: In certain sectors, nearly 95% of households are now uninhabitable.
Injuries: While no fatalities have been reported within the valley—a miracle attributed to the timing of the quake—two children sustained injuries and required emergency helicopter evacuation to Gilgit.

The physical landscape has also been scarred. At Yishkuk (the "Grey Spring"), a massive earth fissure now cuts through the pasture, leading many locals to believe this was the earthquake's epicenter.

A deep earth fissure, cutting through the landscape in Yishkuk, stands as visible evidence of the seismic activity triggered by the recent earthquake. Photo: Azhar Karim

Survival in Sub-Zero: The Humanitarian Toll

The earthquake is only half the story. The survivors are now locked in a battle against the brutal Karakoram winter.

With their traditional Pamiri homes reduced to rubble or rendered unsafe by structural cracks, hundreds of families are living in tents. Temperatures in Chipursan have plummeted to between –20°C and –25°C. Recent heavy snowfall has further complicated relief efforts, burying the valley in a thick white shroud that threatens the health of the elderly and children.

families are living in tents. Temperatures in Chipursan have plummeted to between –20°C and –25°C
"We are living in fear. The ground continues to tremble with aftershocks, and the cold is as dangerous as the earthquake itself." — Local Resident

Relief Efforts and the Road to Recovery

The isolation of Chipursan Valley—connected to the Karakoram Highway via a single, fragile unpaved road—makes aid delivery a logistical nightmare.

Current Progress:

Infrastructure: The Chipursan Valley Road was reopened on an emergency basis by January 20th to allow aid convoys through.
NGO Support: The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and the CLSO are on the ground, distributing heaters, blankets, and food packs.
Government Action: Residents are urgently calling for the valley to be declared a "calamity-hit" area to trigger larger-scale rehabilitation funds.

The Mystery of Yishkuk

The disaster has also revived ancient oral histories. Folklore tells of a "Great Lake" that once decimated ancient settlements in Yishkuk. Geologists suggest these tales likely refer to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), highlighting the valley’s long-standing vulnerability to natural hazards.

Vehicles buried under the rubble of collapsed structures in Chipursan.

Looking Ahead: A Call for Relocation?

With tremors still reverberating through the earth, a difficult conversation has begun: Should the population be relocated? The vulnerability of Chipursan’s geography—sandwiched between the Hindu Kush and Karakoram ranges—means that "building back" may not be enough. Future planning must involve seismic-resistant architecture or moving settlements away from high-risk fault lines and landslide zones.

Chipursan Valley is a jewel of Wakhi culture. To ensure its survival, the global and national community must move beyond temporary tents and provide long-term, climate-resilient solutions for the resilient people of the Pamir.

Zood Khun, Shitmerg and Ispanj Declear Calamity-Hit

Gilgit: The Government of Gilgit-Baltistan has officially declared the villages of Zoodkhun, Sitmerg and Ispang in Chipurson Valley, District Hunza, as calamity-hit areas following the recent earthquake that caused widespread damage to homes, public infrastructure and livelihoods.

According to a notification issued by the Department of Home & Prisons, Gilgit-Baltistan, on 23 January 2026, the declaration has been made under the National Calamities (Prevention and Relief) Act, 1958, in view of the substantial losses suffered by the affected population.

The notification states that the earthquake resulted in severe damage to residential structures, public infrastructure and livestock, prompting the government to invoke emergency provisions to facilitate relief, rehabilitation and recovery efforts in the affected villages.

The calamity declaration enables relevant departments and agencies, including the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) and Rescue 1122, to mobilise resources and undertake coordinated relief and rehabilitation measures.

Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner Hunza had formally requested the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan to declare the villages of Zoodkhun, Sitmerg and Ispang in Chipurson Valley as calamity-hit areas following severe damage caused by the recent earthquake.

According to an official letter issued on 22 January 2026 and addressed to the Secretary Home & Prison Gilgit-Baltistan, preliminary assessments by the district administration indicate that around 120 to 150 residential houses have been partially to completely damaged, forcing several families to live in unsafe conditions.

The assessment further reveals extensive damage to water channels, irrigation systems, link roads and power supply infrastructure, severely disrupting daily life and essential services in the affected villages.

Citing the gravity of the situation, the Deputy Commissioner has strongly recommended that the three villages be declared calamity-hit under relevant rules to facilitate immediate relief, rehabilitation and restoration measures