A big earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale jolted Kolkata on Friday afternoon, triggering panic among residents across the city. The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) said the tremor originated in southwestern Bangladesh at a depth of 10 km and was felt in Kolkata around early afternoon.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) initially reported the quake at magnitude 5.3, noting the epicentre lay roughly 26 km southeast of Taki in West Bengal. Differences in early magnitude estimates are typical as seismic readings are updated.
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People across several neighbourhoods reported noticeable shaking. Many said ceiling fans oscillated, windows rattled and household items moved, with stronger effects experienced in high-rise buildings.
On social media platform X, users described the frightening moments. One user wrote that it was the first time they had felt earthquake tremors, while another described the experience as “terrible waves” across the city.
Swagata, a Kolkata resident, said her family immediately rushed out after feeling the sudden movement. She noted that furniture shook and a bottle toppled from the table during the brief tremor.
Videos circulating online showed residents stepping out of homes and apartment complexes as a precaution. Tremors were also felt in nearby districts close to the India-Bangladesh border. Authorities had not reported any major damage at the time of writing.
