Residents across Kolkata and surrounding districts experienced significant tremors on Friday as a powerful 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck West Bengal. Concurrently, a 4.7-magnitude seismic event was reported in Assam, causing widespread panic and prompting many to evacuate their homes and offices. The tremors were widely felt, leading to temporary evacuations in urban areas, including the IT sector of Salt Lake City, Kolkata. Social media platforms were quickly flooded with videos and personal accounts of the shaking. One user described it as the strongest earthquake felt in Bangladesh, noting its intensity despite a magnitude of 5.2 due to its proximity to Dhaka. The epicenter of the main earthquake was identified approximately 14 km from Narsingdi in Bangladesh. Thankfully, initial reports indicate no major damage or casualties. The seismic activity also briefly interrupted an international cricket match between Bangladesh and Ireland in Dhaka, though play resumed shortly thereafter. This region’s geological vulnerability is attributed to its location at the convergence of the Indian, Eurasian, and Burma tectonic plates, creating significant geological stress. Dhaka, in particular, is recognized as one of the world’s most densely populated and earthquake-vulnerable cities.
