An earthquake of moderate intensity struck central Assam in the early hours of Monday, sending tremors across a wide swathe of the Northeast and neighbouring regions. Despite the widespread shaking, authorities said there were no reports of casualties or damage to property.
The National Centre for Seismology said the quake occurred at around 4.17 a.m. and measured 5.1 on the Richter scale. Its epicentre was located in Assam’s Morigaon district, on the southern side of the Brahmaputra River, at a depth of about 50 kilometres.
The tremors were felt across many districts in Assam, cutting across both the southern and northern banks of the Brahmaputra. Residents in urban and rural areas alike reported feeling the ground shake, prompting momentary panic. Several people stepped out of their homes as a precaution, especially in the early morning hours when the quake struck.
Beyond Assam, the seismic activity was also experienced in parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. Reports of tremors came in from parts of West Bengal as well, while mild shaking was also felt in neighbouring countries, including Bhutan and Bangladesh, and in some areas across the border in China.
Officials said that initial assessments indicated no damage to buildings, roads or other infrastructure. Emergency services and district administrations remained alert and continued to monitor the situation.
The Northeast lies in a highly active seismic zone, making earthquakes a recurring natural phenomenon in the region. Authorities have once again advised residents to stay calm during such events and to follow established safety guidelines to minimise risk.
