Earthquake Hits Kolkata Today : Magnitude 6.0 Tremors Reported
Strong tremors were felt in Kolkata and across West Bengal on the evening of Tuesday, February 3, 2026, following a significant earthquake centered in Myanmar.
Source : Mint
Epicentre and Magnitude
- Magnitude: Estimated at 5.9 to 6.1 on the Richter scale.
- Epicentre: Located in Myanmar, approximately 70 miles east of Akyab (Sittwe).
- Time: Tremors were felt in Kolkata around 9:04 PM – 9:09 PM IST.
- Duration: Residents reported the shaking lasted for several seconds.
- Impact in Kolkata: No deaths or major structural damages were immediately reported, though the tremors caused widespread panic. Residents in high-rise buildings and office employees reported seeing fans swaying and furniture vibrating.
Why Kolkata Felt the Myanmar Quake
Kolkata is susceptible to tremors from distant quakes due to its geological location :
- Soil Type: The city sits on the alluvial soil of the Ganges delta, which tends to amplify seismic waves, making even moderate or distant quakes feel more intense.
- Proximity to Faults: While not directly on a major fault line, Kolkata is close to the Arakan Yoma Subduction Zone and the Shillong Plateau, both of which are highly active.
- Regional Activity: This event followed a series of minor quakes in the region, including a 4.1 magnitude quake in Bangladesh earlier that same day.
For real-time updates and official safety advisories, you can monitor the National Center for Seismology (NCS) or follow the IMD Kolkata regional updates.
Are you looking for safety protocols for high-rise buildings in Kolkata, or do you need to check for recent aftershocks?