Chipurson valley faces renewed seismic treat as a Authorities argue to act:

 When the 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck the Chipursan Valley—perched high in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan

Noori Bakht from chipurson, Zood Khun standing in front of her destroyed home. | Picture Credit_ Laura Riis

By Faqir Ullah Khan

HUNZA:Fresh seismic activity in the remote Chipurson Valley of Upper Hunza has triggered panic among local residents following repeated tremors, loud underground cracking noises, and heavy rockfalls across multiple villages.

According to local reports, the latest wave of activity intensified on August 11, when noticeable jolts hit the valley at around 3:00 a.m. and 7:07 a.m. The tremors triggered immediate rockfalls in Shatmerg, Yikhmeen, Ispanj, and Sherisabz, with persistent tremors and unsettling cracking sounds continuing throughout the day.

Bibi Moujin from chipurson, Zood Khun standing in front of her destroyed home. | Picture Credit_ Laura Riis

The situation escalated at approximately 5:35 a.m. on August 13, when a major 5.2-magnitude tremor jolted the region. The earthquake caused severe rockfalls in Yiskhuk, Zoodkhun, Shatmerg, Ispanj, and Sherisabz. The shaking resulted in the partial collapse and further damage of several residential homes and commercial shops. Additionally, an already weakened perimeter wall of the Shatmerg Jamat Khana collapsed entirely. Over a dozen aftershocks have since been felt across the valley.

The recurring tremors have exacerbated structural cracks in homes previously damaged by earlier earthquakes, forcing frightened villagers to evacuate their residences and move back into temporary tents. Local community volunteers have been put on high alert to assist vulnerable families and monitor potential landslide zones. Geological experts have attributed the heightened activity to active local fault lines combined with sub-surface movement from nearby high-altitude glaciers.

Kum Kum, a young girl from Chipursan, looks outside her destroyed room after the earthquake hit. Picture by author

Despite the ongoing emergency, affected residents expressed deep frustration, stating they have not received sufficient emergency shelter or rehabilitation assistance—even though the valley suffered widespread destruction from a 5.8-magnitude earthquake. With over 400 families still residing in basic makeshift shelters, locals fear that severe weather conditions will make life unbearable in the coming weeks.

Community leaders and residents are urgently appealing to the Gilgit-Baltistan government, national disaster management authorities, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to send immediate relief teams to assess the ground reality in person. They have demanded emergency winterized shelters, medical support, and protective measures for critical community infrastructure—including local schools and health units—before the onset of winter.

Children from Zood Khun Inthe front of Tents