BREAKING: 5.7 Magnitude Earthquake Near Dhaka Shakes Kolkata and Northeast India

A significant earthquake, registering a magnitude of 5.7, struck near the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka this morning, sending strong tremors across Kolkata and several parts of Northeast India. The event occurred at a shallow depth, amplifying the shaking felt by residents across the region.

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The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake struck at 10:08 am local time on Friday, centered approximately 13 kilometers south-southwest of Narsingdi, Bangladesh. The relatively shallow depth of the quake, just 10 kilometers, contributed to the intensity of the brief but noticeable shaking.

Tremors Trigger Precautionary Evacuation

In Kolkata, residents reported feeling distinct, brief tremors around 10:10 am, lasting only a few seconds. As a precautionary measure, several people in the city and surrounding districts were seen immediately moving out onto the streets. Videos capturing the moment and the subsequent street activity quickly began circulating on social media platforms.

Mild tremors were also confirmed in other major cities across Northeast India, including Guwahati, Agartala, and Shillong. Crucially, there were no immediate reports of injuries or significant structural damage in any of the affected areas.

Geological Context: High Vulnerability

The tremor serves as a stark reminder of the region’s high seismic risk. Bangladesh is situated at the complex junction of the Indian, Eurasian, and Burma tectonic plates. The Indian plate’s consistent movement (northeast at 6 cm per year) against the others creates enormous geological stress.

The country is intersected by several major fault lines, including the Bogura, Tripura, Dauki, and Assam faults, and is situated near the Shillong Plateau. This geology places the country within 13 recognized earthquake-prone zones.

Alarmingly, Dhaka, which has a population density exceeding 30,000 people per square kilometer, ranks as one of the 20 most earthquake-vulnerable cities globally, according to analyses from The Daily Star. High-risk zones in the country include Chattogram, the Chattogram Hill Tracts, and Jaintiapur in Sylhet.

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