Earthquake in Ladakh: Quake of Magnitude 5.5 on Richter Scale Strikes Leh
A moderate 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Leh district of Ladakh early Thursday morning, causing ground shaking across parts of the union territory. According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the tremor occurred at approximately 6:05 a.m. IST at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres. No immediate casualties or major structural damages have been reported.
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A 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck Leh in Ladakh early Thursday morning, with the tremor recorded at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres. There were no immediate reports of casualties or major structural damage following the earthquake, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). The NCS said the earthquake occurred at 6:05:15 am on August 13, with its epicentre located at latitude 36.881°N and longitude 74.402°E, according to a report.
The depth was recorded at 10 kilometres, placing the earthquake in the shallow category. The tremor was reported in and around Leh, although authorities have not reported any major damage so far. Earthquake in Ladakh: Quake of Magnitude 4.1 Hits Leh.
No Casualties or Major Damage
Officials have not reported any deaths or injuries linked to the earthquake. There were also no immediate reports of significant structural damage in Leh or other parts of Ladakh. Authorities are expected to continue monitoring the situation for any aftershocks or delayed reports of damage.
Why the Shallow Depth Matters
Earthquakes occurring closer to the surface can produce stronger shaking because seismic waves travel a shorter distance before reaching the ground. This can increase the potential for damage, particularly in vulnerable structures. Earthquake in Ladakh: Quake of Magnitude 3.9 on Richter Scale Hits Leh Region; No Damage Reported.
The latest earthquake comes after other tremors were recorded in the broader Ladakh region in recent weeks, highlighting the area's ongoing seismic activity. NCS records show a magnitude 3.6 earthquake was detected in the Leh-Ladakh region on July 24.
Authorities Monitoring the Situation
The NCS has released the earthquake details through its monitoring system and advised people to follow official updates. For now, there is no indication of a major emergency in Leh, with no casualties or significant structural damage reported. The situation remains under observation as authorities assess the region for any further effects from the tremor.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 13, 2026 08:21 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
