Earthquake of 5.7 Magnitude Hits Leh-Ladakh Region, Authorities on Alert

5.7 magnitude earthquake struck the Leh-Ladakh region on Sunday morning. No casualties reported.

The National Center for Seismology (NCS) reported that an earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale rocked Leh in the Union Territory of Ladakh on Monday, January 19, 2026. The tremor was detected at 11:51 a.m. (IST) and originated 171 kilometers under the Earth's surface. On the same day, a small earthquake of magnitude 2.8 was registered in Delhi-NCR, momentarily shaking areas of the national capital.

According to the NCS, the tremor struck at 8:44 a.m., with its epicenter in North Delhi at a shallow depth of five kilometers. Residents in numerous areas reported experiencing minor vibrations, but officials said the tremor did not represent an immediate threat. The Leh-Ladakh area is vulnerable to earthquakes of various intensities due to its location in the seismically active Himalayan belt. Emergency reaction teams have been put on high alert as a precaution.

Tremors were also reported in Haryana's Sonipat district, leading locals to get concerned. This comes three days after a 3.5-magnitude earthquake struck the Gohana region, warning residents to move away from their homes and stores. Authorities emphasized that, while such low-intensity earthquakes are often harmless, citizens should be cautious and adhere to safety practices.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), an earthquake of a magnitude of 5.9 rocked Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including Gilgit and surrounding regions. The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) detected a magnitude 5.7 tremor at a depth of 31 km.

Despite the magnitude of the earthquake, there are still no indications of widespread disturbances, fatalities, or major structural damage. Authorities are still keeping an eye on the issue. Because of the area's seismic sensitivity inside the Himalayan earthquake belt, officials have also issued cautions for caution, alerting locals for the possible aftershocks in the upcoming hours.

Experts point out that deeper earthquakes, such as this one, create less violent surface shaking than shallow quakes, lowering the risk of serious damage. Authorities and disaster management teams are still on watch, and people in the surrounding regions are asked to stay updated through official channels and safety warnings.