Kolkata witnessed moments of panic on Friday morning after a strong 5.7-magnitude earthquake hit Bangladesh’s Narsingdi district, sending powerful tremors across West Bengal and parts of Northeast India. The quake, recorded at 10:08–10:10 AM, was felt widely in Kolkata, triggering evacuations from homes and offices.
“Most Intense Earthquake of My Life” — Kolkata Residents React
Residents across Kolkata and nearby districts rushed to social media describing the quake as “very intense” and “frightening.”
One user on X wrote that his entire building “shook for over 30 seconds.”
Another resident posted, “Kolkata was shuddering like a fragile plastic tunnel. This was the strongest quake I’ve ever felt.”
People reported waking up from sleep due to the tremors, and videos of shaking furniture, ceiling fans, and office interiors quickly went viral online.
Panic in Kolkata and Across West Bengal
Strong tremors were felt in Kolkata, Siliguri, Howrah, and other parts of the state. As a precaution, many residents stepped outside their homes, and several office buildings in central and south Kolkata were temporarily evacuated.
Fortunately, no injuries or property damage were reported in India as of now.
Epicentre in Bangladesh; Dhaka Reports Six Deaths
According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS) and the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the quake measured 5.7 on the Richter scale, with its epicentre located near Madhabdi in Narsingdi, at a shallow depth of 10 km — making the tremors stronger and more widely felt.
While India escaped damage, Bangladesh reported tragic casualties:
- At least six people were killed in Dhaka, according to DBC News and Dhaka Tribune.
- Three people died when the roof and wall collapsed.
- Three pedestrians were killed in the Bongshal area when a building railing gave way during the tremor.
- Several others were injured and taken to local hospitals.
Authorities in Dhaka said the railing collapse occurred suddenly as the quake struck, crushing pedestrians walking past the building.
Tremors Felt Across Several Bangladesh Districts
Strong shaking was reported not just in Dhaka and Narsingdi but also across multiple districts including:
- Chandpur
- Nilphamari
- Sitakunda
- Sirajganj
- Narayanganj
- Bogura
- Patuakhali
- Barisal
- Moulvibazar
Widespread Tremors Across Northeast India
Apart from West Bengal, tremors were felt in parts of the Northeast, particularly Guwahati and nearby regions, prompting people to evacuate buildings there as well.
No Damage in India, Monitoring Continues
Indian authorities confirmed that while the tremors were strong, no structural damage has been reported across West Bengal or Assam. The seismic activity continues to be monitored by NCS and IMD.
Note: All information and images used in this content are sourced from Google. They are used here for informational and illustrative purposes only.
FAQs on the 5.7 Earthquake in Kolkata
1. What caused the 5.7 Earthquake in Kolkata to be felt so strongly across West Bengal?
The 5.7 Earthquake in Kolkata was triggered by a seismic event in Bangladesh’s Narsingdi district at a shallow depth of just 10 km. Shallow quakes transfer energy more intensely, which is why strong tremors were widely felt across Kolkata, Siliguri, Howrah, and other parts of West Bengal.
2. How long did the tremors from the 5.7 Earthquake in Kolkata last?
Many residents reported that buildings shook for 20–30 seconds during the 5.7 Earthquake in Kolkata. Social media posts described it as one of the “most intense” quakes they had ever felt.
3. Did the 5.7 Earthquake in Kolkata cause any damage in India?
No. Despite the intensity of shaking, the 5.7 Earthquake in Kolkata caused no reported injuries or structural damage in West Bengal or Assam. Authorities quickly evacuated buildings as a precaution.
4. Why was the 5.7 Earthquake in Kolkata felt in Northeast India as well?
The epicentre in Bangladesh was close enough to northeastern states for seismic waves to travel across borders. That’s why areas like Guwahati also felt tremors from the 5.7 Earthquake in Kolkata.
5. Were there any casualties linked to the 5.7 Earthquake in Kolkata?
There were no casualties in India, but Bangladesh unfortunately reported six deaths in Dhaka due to collapsing structures triggered by the same seismic event that caused the 5.7 Earthquake in Kolkata.
6. Which areas were most impacted by the tremors of the 5.7 Earthquake in Kolkata?
In India, Kolkata, Siliguri, Howrah, and parts of Northeast India experienced noticeable shaking. In Bangladesh, the quake affected districts such as Dhaka, Narsingdi, Chandpur, Nilphamari, Sitakunda, Barisal, Bogura, Patuakhali, and more.
7. What time did the 5.7 Earthquake in Kolkata occur?
The tremors from the 5.7 Earthquake in Kolkata were felt between 10:08 AM and 10:10 AM when the quake struck Bangladesh with enough force to shake buildings across the region.
8. Why did people evacuate buildings during the 5.7 Earthquake in Kolkata?
Because of the unusually strong shaking, many residents and office workers stepped outside for safety. Evacuations during the 5.7 Earthquake in Kolkata were precautionary measures, even though no damage was ultimately reported.
9. Are aftershocks expected after the 5.7 Earthquake in Kolkata?
Authorities from NCS and IMD continue to monitor the region. While significant aftershocks are not guaranteed, minor tremors can follow seismic events like the 5.7 Earthquake in Kolkata, especially when the quake occurs at a shallow depth.
10. What safety steps should people follow during events like the 5.7 Earthquake in Kolkata?
Key safety actions include standing away from windows, taking cover under sturdy furniture, avoiding elevators, and moving outdoors only when shaking stops. These practices help reduce risk during strong tremors like the 5.7 Earthquake in Kolkata.
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