Bangladesh Earthquake: 5.7 Magnitude Quake Shakes Kolkata

A powerful 5.7-magnitude earthquake originating near Bangladesh sent shockwaves across eastern India on November 21, 2025, triggering widespread panic in Kolkata and neighboring regions. The tremors, felt around 10:08 AM IST, highlighted the seismic vulnerability of this densely populated area.

Key Details of the Earthquake

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS) and India's National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the epicenter was located just 13 km south-southwest of Narsingdi, Bangladesh, at a shallow depth of 10 km. Shallow quakes typically cause stronger surface shaking due to shorter seismic wave travel distances. The tremors lasted only a few seconds but were intense enough to prompt mass evacuations in Kolkata's commercial hubs, including Salt Lake's IT sector.

Impact Across Eastern India

Beyond Kolkata, tremors were reported in:

Guwahati and Shillong
Agartala and Cooch Behar
Dakshin and Uttar Dinajpur districts
Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram

Residents described fans swaying violently, wall fixtures rattling, and a noticeable swaying sensation. Videos shared on social media showed crowds evacuating offices and residential buildings, with many rushing into open streets as a precaution.

"The entire building swayed for about 10 seconds. It was terrifying," said Kolkata-based professional Arijit Biswas.

Geological Context: Why This Region Vulnerable?

Bangladesh sits at a complex junction of three tectonic plates: the Indian, Eurasian, and Burma plates. The Indian plate moves northeast at 6 cm annually, while the Eurasian plate shifts north at 2 cm per year. This constant pressure crisscrosses the region with major fault lines, including:

Bogura and Tripura faults
Dauki and Assam faults
Shillong Plateau

Dhaka is listed among the world's 20 most earthquake-vulnerable cities due to its extreme population density (over 30,000 people per km²) and proximity to active faults. Earlier in October 2025, a 3.4-magnitude quake had already signaled rising seismic activity.

Safety Measures and Aftermath

Fortunately, no casualties or major structural damage have been reported. Authorities urged citizens to:

Stay calm and avoid panic
Evacuate buildings to open areas
Refrain from using elevators
Monitor official updates for aftershocks

Disaster response teams have been put on alert in West Bengal and Northeast states. Regional seismic monitoring centers are analyzing data to assess potential aftershock risks.

Future Preparedness Imperative

While this event caused no significant damage, it serves as a stark reminder of the region's seismic risks. Urban planners and policymakers must prioritize:

Enforcing stricter building codes
Conducting regular earthquake drills
Upgrading critical infrastructure resilience
Public awareness campaigns on safety protocols

As global seismic activity remains unpredictable (earthquakes occur roughly every 30 seconds worldwide), communities in Bangladesh and eastern India must fortify their disaster preparedness to mitigate future risks.