Kolkata and significant parts of West Bengal were shaken by powerful tremors on Friday following a 5.5-magnitude earthquake. Simultaneously, Assam experienced a 4.7-magnitude earthquake, causing concern and prompting some residents to seek safety outdoors. The United States Geological Survey reported the epicenter of the main seismic event to be approximately 14 km from Narsingdi in Bangladesh. The incident led to a temporary suspension of play during an international cricket match in Dhaka, though it was quickly resumed. Online, videos depicting office evacuations in Kolkata’s IT hub and personal testimonies about the intensity of the shaking circulated widely. Several social media users described the experience as highly alarming, with one noting the significant impact of the quake despite its moderate magnitude due to its close origin to Dhaka. There have been no confirmed reports of widespread damage or significant injuries. Geologically, Bangladesh is a high-risk zone due to its location where the Indian, Eurasian, and Burma tectonic plates converge. This tectonic activity, coupled with numerous fault lines and Dhaka’s extreme population density, makes the city exceptionally vulnerable to seismic events.
