An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 on the Richter scale struck Morigaon in Assam, Northeast India. Tremors were felt in Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Bangladesh. No casualties or property damage have been reported so far.
New Delhi: Strong tremors were felt in Northeast India early Monday morning. The earthquake's epicenter was located in the Morigaon district of Assam, with effects extending to Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and Bangladesh. According to reports from the National Earthquake Centre and the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the earthquake measured 5.1 on the Richter scale and had a depth of approximately 50 kilometers. Authorities have not yet reported any loss of life or property damage.
Earthquake Epicenter and Time
The National Centre for Seismology reported that the earthquake occurred at 04:17:40 IST. Its epicenter was located on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River in the Morigaon district of Assam, at 26.37 North latitude and 92.29 East longitude. The tremors were felt with such intensity that people in many districts rushed out of their homes and into open spaces.
Impact in Assam and Surrounding Districts
Tremors were felt in several districts of Assam, including Kamrup Metropolitan, Nagaon, East Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, Hojai, Dima Hasao, Golaghat, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Cachar, Karimganj, Hailakandi, Dhubri, South Salmara-Mankachar, and Goalpara. Also, tremors were felt in areas north of the Brahmaputra River, including Darrang, Tamulpur, Sonitpur, Kamrup, Biswanath, Udalguri, Nalbari, Bajali, Barpeta, Baksa, Chirang, Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, and Lakhimpur.
Impact in Other Northeastern States
Tremors were felt in several areas of the mid-western part of Arunachal Pradesh, throughout Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura. In addition, some areas of West Bengal and neighboring countries such as central-eastern Bhutan, parts of China, and Bangladesh also experienced shaking.
Public Reaction and Safety Measures
People rushed out of their homes into open spaces as tremors were felt. The Northeast region falls in a high seismic zone, and tremors are frequently felt here. Authorities and scientists have advised people to move to safe locations and stay away from weak structures in their homes.
Seismologists say that Northeast India lies in a high seismic zone and experiences earthquakes of varying intensities from time to time. The impact of earthquakes is felt more in Assam and surrounding areas because it is located between the Brahmaputra Valley and the Himalayan tectonic plates.
Recent Earthquakes in Nepal
The earthquake in Assam can also be linked to recent earthquakes in Nepal. Over the weekend, a 4.3 magnitude earthquake struck the Udayapur district of eastern Nepal, with its epicenter in Bagapati. Prior to this, a 4.6 magnitude earthquake was recorded in the Taplejung district. Nepal is located in one of the most active tectonic regions of the Himalayas and remains highly vulnerable to earthquakes throughout the year. According to Nepali authorities, there have been no major damages or casualties in the region at this time.
