Earthquake Measuring 5.1 Magnitude Felt in Kolkata and North Bengal

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck early Tuesday morning, with its epicenter located in the Bay of Bengal, off the coast of Puri, Odisha. The quake, which occurred at 6:10 am at a depth of 91 km, caused mild tremors in Kolkata and parts of North Bengal. Fortunately, no damage or casualties have been reported.

Earthquake Details Confirmed by NCS

The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) confirmed the earthquake with the following details:

• Magnitude: 5.1

• Time: February 25, 2025, 6:10 am IST

• Epicenter: Bay of Bengal

• Coordinates: 19.52° N, 88.55° E

• Depth: 91 km

Seismologists note that the chances of damage were minimal since the earthquake originated deep below the surface. In contrast, shallow earthquakes occurring closer to the surface—at depths of 5 to 10 km—typically cause more destruction.

Tremors Felt in Kolkata and Odisha

Mild tremors were reported in several parts of Odisha, including Berhampur, Balasore, Cuttack, and Bhubaneswar. Residents in Kolkata and North Bengal also experienced brief shaking.

Eyewitnesses in Odisha shared their experiences on social media. A resident from Rourkela tweeted, “I could feel the waves as my room was shaking at 6:12 am.” Another from Cuttack mentioned, “I was asleep but woke up as my bed started shaking.”

Seismic Activity in the Region

Kolkata falls within Seismic Zone III, making it moderately prone to earthquakes. The city often experiences tremors due to seismic activity in Nepal and Northeast India.

Similarly, Odisha, with its river valleys and coastal areas, also lies in Seismic Zones II and III. According to the state’s Revenue and Disaster Management Department, 14 districts in Odisha are vulnerable to earthquakes.

Recent Earthquake Activity

This is not the first time Kolkata has felt tremors recently:

• January 8, 2025: Mild tremors were felt in Kolkata after a powerful earthquake struck Tibet and Nepal.

• February 17, 2025: A 4.0 magnitude earthquake in Delhi caused stronger tremors than today’s event, as its epicenter was just 5 km deep.

No Reported Damage

Despite the tremors felt across West Bengal and Odisha, no structural damage or injuries have been reported. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, and residents are advised to stay alert for aftershocks.

Stay tuned for further updates from the National Centre for Seismology and local authorities.