5.5 magnitude earthquake strikes Ladakh's Leh
Leh, August 13
An earthquake of magnitude 5.5 struck Leh, Ladakh, early Thursday morning, as per a statement by the National Centre for Seismology.
The tremor occurred at around 6 AM at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres. No immediate reports of casualties or major structural damage have been reported.
In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 5.5, On: 13/08/2026 06:05:15 IST, Lat: 36.881 N, Long: 74.402 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Leh, Ladakh."
Earthquakes can occur anywhere between the Earth's surface and about 700 kilometres below the surface. For scientific purposes, this earthquake depth range of 0-700 km is divided into three zones: shallow, intermediate, and deep, as per USGS data.
Shallow earthquakes are generally more dangerous than deep earthquakes. This is because the seismic waves from shallow earthquakes have a shorter distance to travel to the surface, resulting in stronger ground shaking and potentially more damage to structures and greater casualties.
— ANI
Reader Comments
5.5 at shallow depth of 10 km... that's quite close to the surface. The article rightly points out how shallow quakes are more dangerous. Hope the administration inspects older buildings in Leh for any cracks or weaknesses. Better safe than sorry!
Being from Uttarakhand, I know how these Himalayan earthquakes feel. The NCS is doing a good job with timely updates. But we need more awareness in remote areas like Ladakh about earthquake-safe construction and emergency drills. Let's not wait for a bigger one to act.
The location coordinates point to the Karakoram region, which is always active. Makes you appreciate the work of the National Centre for Seismology. I just hope the local infrastructure, especially in touristic places, is quake-proof. Tourists don't always know what to do in such situations.
Being in Canada, I never experienced such quakes, but my heart goes out to the people of Ladakh. Hope the Indian authorities inspect the vulnerable structures quickly. It's good that the NCS is transparent with the data. 🤞
I genuinely wonder if we are prepared enough for a bigger earthquake along the entire Himalayan arc. This 5.5 is a warning. We should use this to push for stricter building codes in Ladakh and other Himalayan towns. Better to invest now than to face a disaster later.
R We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.