6.0-Magnitude Quake In Myanmar Sends Shockwaves Across Eastern India, Kolkata Among Affected Cities

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck Myanmar on Tuesday night, causing noticeable tremors across eastern India, including Kolkata, as well as parts of Bangladesh. The seismic activity was recorded at approximately 9:04 pm IST, triggering panic among residents in several regions.

Seismological data indicated that the epicentre of the earthquake was located in Myanmar. It was recorded at latitude 20.42 degrees north and longitude 93.88 degrees east.

The earthquake originated at an estimated depth of around 27 kilometres. However, some assessments suggested the depth ranged between 10 and 63 kilometres, placing it in the shallow category.

Impact in Myanmar and Neighbouring Regions

Myanmar bore the brunt of the impact, particularly areas near Rakhine State. Reports placed the epicentre nearly 70 to 100 kilometres east or north of Sittwe (Akyab), close to the region around N Town.

Because the earthquake occurred at a shallow depth, its vibrations travelled extensively and were felt strongly across wide areas. Several parts of Myanmar experienced intense shaking; however, authorities did not immediately report any major structural damage or casualties. Officials have initiated ground surveys to evaluate the situation in the affected zones.

In India, the tremors were distinctly felt in Kolkata and several districts of West Bengal.

Alarmed residents hurried out of their homes as buildings swayed and household items were displaced. Although brief panic was reported in parts of Kolkata, there were no confirmed reports of significant damage or loss of life.

The tremors also extended into Bangladesh, where residents in some areas stepped out into open spaces as a precautionary measure.

The National Centre for Seismology (NCS), along with other monitoring agencies, continues to keep a close watch on developments. Experts explained that the affected region lies in an active seismic belt formed by the interaction between the Indian Plate and the Burma Plate, where earthquakes of this nature are not uncommon.

The shallow focus of the quake contributed to the widespread perception of tremors across a large geographical area.

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