Guwahati, Sept 14: An earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale jolted parts of Northeast India on Sunday afternoon, triggering panic across Assam.
An earthquake of magnitude 5.6 has struck Assam today .
The epicentre was near Udalguri. So far , there has been no report of any major damage or loss of life . We are actively monitoring the situation.
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 14, 2025
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said the tremor struck at 4:41 pm with its epicentre in Udalguri district at a shallow depth of 5 km. Strong vibrations were felt in nearby areas, forcing residents outdoors.
According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the quake was located 89 km northeast of Guwahati and 48 km southeast of Tezpur. The tremor was widely felt across Assam and neighbouring states, with calculated intensities ranging from II to VI on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale within 300 km of the epicentre.
Three aftershocks, measuring 3.1 and 2.9, were recorded in the same area at 4:58 pm and 5:21 pm. Tremors were also felt in Bhutan and parts of north Bengal. Assam last witnessed a strong quake in 2021, when a magnitude 6.4 struck Sonitpur district.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma posted on X: “An earthquake of magnitude 5.6 has struck Assam today with the epicentre near Udalguri. So far, there has been no report of major damage or loss of life. We are actively monitoring the situation. Hon’ble Prime Minister @narendramodi ji called me immediately after arriving in Kolkata to enquire about the situation and assured all possible support from the Government of India.”
In Guwahati, panic gripped residents who rushed out of homes and offices. Former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also wrote on X: “Major earthquake in Assam. My prayers for everyone’s safety and well-being.”
A preliminary report by the NCS said the quake was located near the Kopili Fault, close to the epicentre of the April 28, 2021, Sonitpur earthquake (M 6.4). The fault plane solution indicates a strike-slip fault mechanism.
The report noted that aftershocks of magnitude 3.1 and 2.9 were recorded, and more tremors of similar intensity could follow. However, seismic shaking is likely to attenuate quickly, as the affected zones already bear fractures and cracks from the 2021 quake.
The event was captured by over 20 broadband seismic stations of the NCS. Past significant quakes in the region include the M 6.4 Bhutan quake of September 2009 and the M 6.0 Assam quake of July 1960.
The NCS underlined that Assam and its adjoining areas fall under Seismic Zone V — the highest risk category on India’s seismic hazard map — owing to active tectonic sources like the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT), Main Boundary Thrust (MBT), Main Central Thrust (MCT), the Kopili Fault, and the Dhubri Fault.
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), in its report, stated that minor wall cracks were reported in a few houses under Biswanath and Gohpur revenue circles following the earthquake.
Visible cracks of varying sizes also developed on the walls—both interior and exterior—of a building at Amlipukhuri village under Hojai Circle.
In Nalbari district, the ceiling of a community hall located within a Namghar premises at Kendukuchi village was partially damaged. One pucca house was reported partially damaged at Balishiha Gaon under Dhekiajuli Revenue Circle, while another pucca house and a storehouse sustained partial damage in Chariduar Revenue Circle.
Two girls were injured when the ceiling of the Danda Saharia Girls’ Hostel under Udalguri Revenue Circle collapsed during the tremors.
Additionally, a house roof collapsed at Amguri under Kalaigaon Revenue Circle. Circle officials are proceeding to the site to verify the extent of the damage.
Also Read: PM Modi dedicates world’s first 2G Bioethanol Plant in Assam; Assam emerges as energy hub
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