A moderate earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale struck the Leh region in Ladakh early Thursday morning, sending tremors across the high-altitude Himalayan territory and waking local residents. Data from the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) indicates that the quake hit around 6:05 AM IST at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers beneath the surface. Because shallow depth quakes release energy closer to the ground level, the tremors felt noticeably pronounced across the mountainous landscape surrounding the epicenter.
Despite the early-morning shock that sent residents stepping outdoors for safety, local disaster management teams confirmed that no casualties or major structural damages have been reported from any part of the district. Administrative officials and emergency responders are continuing to monitor remote settlements and mountain passes to check for potential landslides or minor cracks in infrastructure. Sitting directly along the active tectonic collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian plates, the Ladakh region regularly witnesses seismic events, prompting local authorities to urge ongoing safety awareness among residents.