Strong Earthquake Tremors Shake Kolkata — and within seconds, the bustling city paused in shock. What began as a faint vibration quickly turned into noticeable shaking, sending residents rushing out of homes, offices, and classrooms. Ceiling fans swayed overhead, windows rattled loudly, and furniture shifted unexpectedly, creating moments of real fear. The tremors, triggered by a powerful earthquake in neighboring Bangladesh, rippled across the region and caught many off guard. Although the shaking lasted only briefly, the anxiety felt much longer. Yet amid the uncertainty, Kolkata responded with calm awareness, proving resilience even when the ground beneath it moved.
When the ground beneath your feet suddenly moves for a few seconds, it feels as if time has stopped. That was the feeling Kolkata residents experienced on Friday afternoon when strong earthquake tremors rippled through the city following a major quake in Bangladesh. Although the shaking was momentary, the aftershocks in the psyche lasted much longer.
As offices stopped, schools became empty, and families ran into open land, moments of anxiety, but also resilience were seen in the City of Joy.
Earthquake Tremors Felt Across Kolkata
At about 1:22 P.M., noticeable tremors were felt all over Kolkata after an intense earthquake hit the neighboring country, Bangladesh. However, the vibrations crossed the border in a matter of seconds and was felt in every home, office room and school in the city, making the structures visibly sway.
As a result, people ran out of buildings in panic. Apartment complexes were emptied in a matter of seconds, while employees of offices sat in open ground out of buildings. At the same time, students were taken out of classrooms as a safety measure.
Kolkata felt the tremors most because the city is full of old houses and buildings with limited spacing between them. Fans hanging from the ceiling swayed, pieces of furniture moved, and the windows shook. The motion was felt stronger in multi-storey buildings than for persons at ground floor level (ibid).
Bangladesh Earthquake Details and Magnitude Reports
The earthquake which struck was measured at 5.5 on the Richter scale and occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers below the earth’s surface according to the National Centre for Seismology. The “epicenter was in southwestern Bangladesh about 191 km southwest of Dhaka and about 100 km from Kolkata”.
According to USGS (United States Geological Survey), the first recorded magnitude was 5.3. These kinds of differences are bound to be common with preliminary seismic ratings.
Also, the epicenter was said to be about 26km southeast of Taki, a town located near the India-Bangladesh border. Given the tremor’s depth, experts ruled that it was responsible for the wide tremors felt in parts of West Bengal.
Fortunate enough, the authorities did not report immediate deaths and/or major destruction of property. The psychological facets were however observable.
How Residents Reacted to the Sudden Shaking
For many people, the earthquake was the first time they felt the ground tremble beneath their feet. Within minutes, social media platforms were filled with posts from shocked residents.
“One Kolkata resident described the moment “ While sitting on the sofa the whole room started moving. “There was shaking of the sofa and fan and a bottle fell off the table,” she said. Her family rushed out of the house and ran downstairs within seconds.
In the same way, a 63-year-old woman said that her rocking chair started rocking by itself. Her shaking lasted a few seconds, but she experienced thrashing for several minutes as a result of inertia.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar briefly stopped speaking to the public when the tremors went through the premises. This was the case with many people who had to abruptly stop talking to let their minds catch up with the situation at hand.
First, though, fear of the unknown spread like wildfire, but once the shaking stopped, so did the panic.
Why Multi-Storey Buildings Felt Stronger Tremors
Many people who live in apartments or condos said that the tremors seemed worse in taller buildings. This is due to the fact that upper floors amplify ground motion, hence the increased intensity in shallow earthquakes.
Also, the older constructions may react to seismic waves differently from modern constructions that have been designed to resist earthquakes. Therefore, people residing in such places feel terrified during such occurrences.
Still, the experts emphasize that short tremors do not necessarily mean that the structure is damaged. Instead, there was no report of any massive destruction in Kolkata or in the neighboring districts.
The Science Behind the Seismic Event
Earthquakes happen when tectonic plates move across fault lines. The depth of 10 kilometers in this instance was shallow enough for seismic waves to be transmitted efficiently across regional borders.
As a result, cities at great distances from the earthquake’s epicenter—including Kolkata—experienced severe shaking. The magnitude is regarded as moderate, but the tremor is quite noticeable due to the close proximity to inhabited areas.
First, differences in magnitude in the early hours should be understood as a function of analyzing data in real-time rather than presenting contradictory facts. Importantly, the magnitude difference observed at the beginning of each report is a real-time data by-product rather than contradictory information, warranting the adjustment of subsequent reports by the organizations.
Key Takeaways from the Kolkata Earthquake Tremors
There was an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.5 in southwestern Bangladesh. Seismic tremors were felt in Kolkata at about 1:22 pm. The depth at which the earthquake occurred was 10 km, which is a shallow depth for an earthquake.
Homes, offices, and schools were also evacuated as a precautionary measure. There was no immediate loss of life and any major property damage was yet to be reported. Its preliminary magnitude was variously estimated at 5.3 and 5.5.
Frequently Asked Questions: Strong Earthquake Tremors Shake Kolkata
1. Why did the Strong Earthquake Tremors Shake Kolkata so suddenly on Friday afternoon?
The Strong Earthquake Tremors Shake Kolkata because a 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck southwestern Bangladesh at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. Since shallow quakes release energy closer to the surface, seismic waves travel farther and feel stronger. As a result, residents in Kolkata experienced noticeable shaking even though the epicenter was across the border. Although the tremor lasted only a few seconds, the sudden movement caught many people off guard, which explains the immediate rush outdoors.
2. How powerful was the quake when Strong Earthquake Tremors Shake Kolkata?
When Strong Earthquake Tremors Shake Kolkata, official agencies recorded slightly different readings. India’s National Centre for Seismology measured the magnitude at 5.5, while the United States Geological Survey initially reported 5.3. However, such small variations are normal during early assessments. Importantly, both readings classify the quake as moderate. Therefore, while it felt intense, it did not reach the level typically associated with widespread destruction.
3. Where was the epicenter that caused Strong Earthquake Tremors Shake Kolkata?
The Strong Earthquake Tremors Shake Kolkata after the epicenter was identified in southwestern Bangladesh, approximately 191 kilometers from Dhaka and around 100 kilometers from Kolkata. Because the region lies relatively close to the India-Bangladesh border, the tremors traveled quickly across state lines. Consequently, several districts in West Bengal also felt the shaking.
4. Why did Strong Earthquake Tremors Shake Kolkata feel stronger in multi-storey buildings?
Many residents reported that Strong Earthquake Tremors Shake Kolkata felt more intense on higher floors. This happens because taller buildings amplify ground motion. In addition, upper floors naturally sway more during seismic activity. Therefore, people living in high-rise apartments often perceive stronger shaking than those on the ground level. Even so, experts confirmed that short tremors do not automatically indicate structural damage.
5. Did the Strong Earthquake Tremors Shake Kolkata cause any major damage or casualties?
Fortunately, when Strong Earthquake Tremors Shake Kolkata, authorities reported no immediate loss of life or major property damage. Although panic spread quickly, the situation stabilized within minutes. Residents evacuated buildings as a precaution, and emergency systems remained alert. Because the quake’s duration was brief, the city avoided serious consequences.
6. How long did the Strong Earthquake Tremors Shake Kolkata last?
Technically, the Strong Earthquake Tremors Shake Kolkata for only a few seconds. However, many people felt the motion longer due to residual swaying of objects like fans and furniture. For example, one elderly resident described her rocking chair moving even after the shaking stopped. In reality, momentum caused that continued motion. Still, emotionally, those few seconds felt much longer.
7. What should you do if Strong Earthquake Tremors Shake Kolkata again?
If Strong Earthquake Tremors Shake Kolkata in the future, remain calm first. Then, move to an open space away from buildings, glass, and electric poles. If you are indoors and cannot exit safely, take cover under sturdy furniture and protect your head. Afterward, avoid elevators and check for structural damage. Preparation reduces panic, and awareness saves lives.
8. Why do magnitude reports differ when Strong Earthquake Tremors Shake Kolkata?
When Strong Earthquake Tremors Shake Kolkata, different seismic agencies analyze data from separate instruments. As a result, initial magnitude readings may vary slightly. However, experts refine these figures after reviewing additional seismic information. Therefore, minor differences do not indicate confusion; instead, they reflect scientific precision and ongoing data verification.
9. Are Strong Earthquake Tremors Shake Kolkata events common in this region?
Eastern India and Bangladesh fall within a seismically active zone. Therefore, mild to moderate tremors occasionally occur. However, strong shaking that prompts widespread evacuation does not happen every day. Although Kolkata is not the highest-risk earthquake zone in India, preparedness remains essential because tectonic movement cannot be predicted with certainty.
10. What positive lesson can we learn from Strong Earthquake Tremors Shake Kolkata?
Even though Strong Earthquake Tremors Shake Kolkata created moments of fear, the city responded responsibly. Families checked on neighbors, schools evacuated students quickly, and officials monitored the situation calmly. Consequently, the absence of casualties highlights growing public awareness about earthquake safety. Sometimes, such events remind us not only of nature’s power but also of human resilience and unity.
