A strong earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale shook central Assam in the early hours of Monday, sending people rushing out of their homes in fear across many parts of the Northeast. The tremor was felt at around 4.17 am, when most people were asleep, leading to panic as houses and buildings shook for a few seconds. The National Centre for Seismology said the epicentre of the earthquake was in Morigaon district, located on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra. The quake originated at a depth of 50 kilometres below the earth’s surface. The exact coordinates were recorded at 26.37 degrees North latitude and 92.29 degrees East longitude. Though there were no reports of major damage to property, the early-morning tremor caused widespread fear among residents in several districts of Assam. People in Kamrup Metropolitan, Nagaon, Hojai, Golaghat, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao and the Barak Valley districts reported strong shaking. Tremors were also felt in districts on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra, including Darrang, Nalbari, Barpeta, Sonitpur, Kokrajhar, Udalguri, Bongaigaon, Baksa and Lakhimpur.
The impact of the quake was not limited to Assam. People in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura also felt the tremors. Reports of shaking also came in from parts of West Bengal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Many residents across the region said the vibration woke them up and they ran outdoors as a precaution.In Morigaon district, two persons were injured while trying to rush out of their homes in panic. They have been identified as Neeraj Kumar and Jaymati Deuri. Local people said both of them suffered head injuries after falling while attempting to escape from their houses soon after the tremor began. Neighbours helped shift the injured to Morigaon Civil Hospital, where doctors said their condition is stable. However, they are being kept under observation due to the nature of their injuries. The incident reflects the sudden fear caused by the earthquake, which caught people unprepared during the early-morning hours. Residents in several towns and villages said doors, windows and household items rattled during the tremor. Many people gathered in open spaces, streets and courtyards, waiting for the shaking to stop. Some also remained outside for a while, fearing aftershocks.
Although there were no reports of collapsed buildings or structural damage, the quake created a sense of alarm across the region. Telephone calls and social media posts soon began circulating, with people checking on friends and relatives in other districts.The northeastern region of India falls under one of the highest seismic zones in the country. This means earthquakes of moderate intensity are fairly common, and residents here are accustomed to feeling tremors from time to time. However, Monday’s earthquake was strong enough to cause widespread concern because it occurred at night, when visibility is low and movement becomes more difficult. Disaster management officials said they are keeping a close watch on the situation. Control rooms in affected districts have also been alerted. Authorities have asked people to remain calm and avoid rumours. Officials said residents should follow basic earthquake safety measures, such as staying away from weak structures, ensuring emergency exits remain free, and keeping essential items like torches and first-aid kits handy. People have also been advised not to run down staircases during tremors, as sudden movement can cause accidents.
In many areas, people recalled similar tremors felt in the past and said Monday’s quake served as a reminder of the region’s vulnerability. Some schools and offices later in the day conducted safety briefings to make people aware of precautionary steps during such events. So far, there have been no reports of fatalities or large-scale destruction. Roads, bridges and public infrastructure have largely remained unaffected. Officials said electricity supply networks and communication systems are functioning normally. However, assessment teams have been instructed to stay alert and respond to any emergency calls that may arise. Hospitals in the affected districts have also been kept on standby as a precaution.