Earthquake Felt in Kolkata at 1:22 PM | Estimated Magnitude 4.9

A mild to moderate earthquake was felt in Kolkata and surrounding areas at around 1:22 pm IST today. Local residents reported buildings swaying briefly.

Initial reports suggest the quake’s epicentre was in Bangladesh, though details are still emerging.

Right now, official seismic agency data (e.g., from India’s National Center for Seismology or the USGS) has not released a confirmed magnitude or depth for this specific event yet. These often appear with a delay of an hour or more after a quake. But on social platforms locals have described it as around M4.9 — which is consistent with a light earthquake felt at some distance.

How strong is this type of quake?

• Earthquakes around magnitude 4–5 are generally considered light to moderate — they can rattle buildings and be felt by people, but rarely cause significant damage.
• Higher numbers (6.0+) are capable of stronger shaking and often cause damage if shallow. Previous quakes in the region like the 2025 Bangladesh event (~M5.4–5.7) caused damage and injuries.

Region & risk context

• Eastern India & Bangladesh are near active tectonic zones linked to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates. This makes occasional earthquakes expected, though large destructive events are less frequent than in areas like Japan or the Himalayas.
• Quakes of this size can be felt across wide areas without necessarily indicating a bigger one is coming.

Safety tips if you’re still feeling shaking

Even after the initial shaking stops:

✅ Stay Calm and Prepared

• Expect aftershocks — smaller tremors can happen minutes to days later.

✅ Check Your Surroundings

• Stay away from damaged structures.
• Avoid open flames; gas lines can be disrupted.

✅ Stay Updated

• Watch official updates from local meteorological/seismological agencies.

If you’d like, I can help you check official real-time earthquake reports from the USGS or India’s seismological services to confirm the exact magnitude and epicentre.