5.7-Magnitude Quake Shakes Bangladesh, Felt in Eastern India

Post by : Raina Nasser

On Friday morning, a 5.7-magnitude earthquake hit Bangladesh, sending mild tremors across eastern India. The seismic event occurred at 10:08 am IST, with the epicenter located approximately 14 kilometers from Narsingdi and 10 kilometers east-southeast of Dhaka.

Residents in Kolkata and nearby regions reported perceptible shaking, witnessing swaying fans and shifting wall decorations. Many exited their homes and workplaces in shock, sharing their experiences on social media with videos and images depicting the tremors.

The tremors were also felt in additional areas of West Bengal, such as Dakshin Dinajpur, Uttar Dinajpur, and Cooch Behar. States like Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram reported light shaking as well. Authorities have stated that there have been no reported injuries or damage so far.

Experts attribute earthquakes in this region to the movement between the Indian tectonic plate and the Eurasian plate. This region—which includes northern India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan—is known for its seismic activity, frequently experiencing moderate to strong earthquakes that can be sensed across borders.

In a separate event, Pakistan experienced a 3.9-magnitude quake on Thursday at a shallow depth of 10 km. Such shallow earthquakes often result in greater damage due to the shorter distance that the seismic waves travel to the surface, leading to more intense ground shaking.

Residents are reminded to be vigilant of potential aftershocks and adhere to safety protocols should further tremors occur. Authorities are keeping a close watch on the situation and will provide updates as necessary.