Kolkata, Feb 27: A powerful earthquake centered in southwestern Bangladesh sent strong tremors through Kolkata and several districts of West Bengal on Friday afternoon. The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) recorded the seismic activity at a magnitude of 5.5 on the Richter scale, occurring at approximately 1:52 pm local time.
The quake struck at a shallow depth of 10 km, with its effects felt most acutely in multi-storey buildings across the city. Residents reported that the vibrations caused furniture to tremble and ceiling fans to sway, leading many to evacuate their homes and offices in haste. While the NCS registered a 5.5 magnitude, the US Geological Survey (USGS) provided a preliminary estimate of 5.3, locating the epicenter 26 km southeast of Taki, West Bengal.
Local witnesses described a scene of sudden alarm as the tremors intensified. Swagata, a resident of Kolkata, stated that the shaking was significant enough to knock items off tables. She affirmed that her family immediately rushed downstairs after witnessing household objects in motion. Social media platforms were quickly filled with accounts of the event, with many individuals noting it was the most distinct tremor they had ever experienced.
Authorities noted that variations in magnitude estimates are common during the initial stages of data refinement by different global agencies. While no immediate reports of major structural damage or casualties have surfaced from the city, the event caused widespread disruption. The tremors were also reported in several neighboring districts situated along the India-Bangladesh border, where residents observed similar rattling of windows and doors.
