Powerful earthquake strikes Myanmar, tremors felt across India and Bangladesh
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A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake originating from central Myanmar caused tremors across various parts of India and Bangladesh on Friday.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake’s epicenter was located approximately 16 kilometers north-northwest of Sagaing, Myanmar, at a depth of 10 kilometers.
Residents of Kolkata and neighboring areas experienced mild tremors, with some noticing wall hangings swaying slightly. Despite the shaking, no damage to property or loss of life has been reported in the city, according to official sources.
In Manipur’s Imphal, the tremors caused panic in the bustling Thangal Bazar area, known for its old multi-storey buildings. However, police confirmed that no structural damage or casualties have been reported.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya experienced a separate earthquake of magnitude 4.0 in the East Garo Hills district at 1:03 PM IST. The National Center for Seismology (NCS) reported the quake occurring at a shallow depth of 5 kilometers.
In Bangladesh, tremors were felt in several regions, including Dhaka and Chattogram. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department confirmed that the earthquake struck at 12:25 PM with an epicenter near Mandalay, Myanmar, close to the Bangladesh border.
Md Rubayat Kabir, acting officer at the Earthquake Observation and Research Centre, classified the earthquake as a major seismic event. Prothom Alo reported that the epicenter was approximately 597 kilometers away from Dhaka.
The earthquake has resulted in a death toll of 25 in Myanmar, with rescue operations currently underway. The affected region, situated about 50 kilometers east of Monywa, experienced severe shaking, which also impacted parts of Thailand, including Bangkok.
On Thursday, a separate earthquake of magnitude 3.5 hit Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh, at 4:38 PM IST, with a depth of 5 kilometers.
As rescue efforts continue in Myanmar, officials across the affected regions are monitoring the situation closely, especially with the possibility of aftershocks.