Magnitude 5.1 Earthquake Strikes Bay of Bengal, Tremors in Kolkata

An earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale occurred in the Bay of Bengal early Tuesday, with tremors felt across Kolkata and parts of Odisha, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS).

The earthquake was reported at 6:10 a.m. IST at a depth of 91 kilometers, with its epicenter at latitude 19.52°N and longitude 88.55°E. The tremors, though significant, have not resulted in any reported damage so far.

Residents in Kolkata and various parts of West Bengal experienced mild shaking, while several locations in Odisha, including Puri, Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, and Balasore, also reported feeling tremors. Social media posts indicated that some people woke up due to the quake, though no casualties or structural damage have been reported.

This earthquake comes shortly after a 4.0 magnitude tremor was recorded in Delhi on February 17. Despite the lower magnitude, the Delhi quake caused stronger tremors since the epicenter was closer to the national capital. In contrast, today’s earthquake occurred at a greater depth, reducing its impact on land.

Seismologists suggest that deeper earthquakes, like the one recorded today, generally have a lower probability of aftershocks. However, authorities continue to monitor for any seismic activity in the region. Dr. Suman Gupta, a geophysicist, stated that aftershocks typically occur within 8-12 hours if they are to follow an initial tremor.

As of now, no damage has been reported from the affected areas. Officials are assessing infrastructure in the region, and no disruptions to public services have been noted.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local authorities remain on alert. While the tremors were felt in multiple locations, the depth of the earthquake minimized its potential for destruction.

People in Kolkata and Odisha took to social media to share their experiences, with some reporting sudden jolts.