A 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck Leh-Ladakh on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 11:51 am IST. The National Center for Seismology (NCS) reported that the earthquake's epicenter was located in the Leh-Ladakh region, at a depth of 171 kilometers.

The tremor was felt across the seismically active Himalayan belt. Authorities are monitoring the situation and advising residents to exercise caution due to the possibility of aftershocks. As of now, there have been no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage to property. Emergency response teams have been placed on standby as a precautionary measure.

The NCS pinpointed the earthquake's epicenter at 36.71°N latitude and 74.32°E longitude. The depth of 171 km classifies it as a deep-focus quake. Experts have noted that shallower earthquakes typically pose a greater risk due to seismic waves traveling a shorter distance to the surface, resulting in stronger ground shaking.

Residents are advised to avoid panic and adhere to standard safety guidelines. This includes staying away from potentially unstable structures and remaining vigilant for updates from official sources. The government has encouraged the use of verified platforms, including disaster alert systems, for obtaining real-time information.

This earthquake follows a series of tremors in the broader region, including a magnitude 4.1 earthquake in Afghanistan a day prior. On January 15, Afghanistan experienced a magnitude 4.2 earthquake at a depth of 96 km, preceded by a magnitude 3.8 quake on January 14 at a depth of 90 km.