Overview & Summary

A powerful 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Bangladesh on November 21, 2025, sending strong tremors across Kolkata, parts of West Bengal, and several northeastern states.
The quake, which originated at a shallow depth of 10 km, caused widespread panic in the Indian metropolis as residents rushed outdoors.

While Kolkata reported no structural damage or injuries, Bangladesh suffered multiple casualties and injuries due to collapsing building components.

This event has revived urgent discussions on Kolkata’s seismic vulnerability, prompting experts to reiterate the region’s risk due to soft soil, old buildings, and active tectonic plates.

Full News

Strong Quake in Bangladesh Sends Tremors Across Eastern India

The earthquake struck near Narsingdi, approximately 50 kilometers from Dhaka, around 10:10 am IST. Because it was a shallow earthquake, the shockwaves radiated intensely across the region.

Several buildings in Kolkata swayed visibly, prompting an immediate evacuation of offices, malls, schools, and residential complexes.

Eyewitness accounts described scenes of confusion:

• People running down staircases in high-rises
• Ceiling fans and lights shaking
• Water splashing out of rooftop tanks
• Office chairs rolling slightly due to vibrations

Residents in Howrah, Salt Lake, New Town, Barrackpore, Sealdah, and Park Street confirmed the tremors lasted between 20–30 seconds.

Impact in Bangladesh: Loss of Lives and Structural Damage

Bangladesh bore the brunt of the quake’s force.
Authorities confirmed:

• 3–6 casualties
• Dozens injured
• Localized collapse of weak structures, railings, and boundary walls
• Panic-driven stampedes in crowded markets

In Dhaka, television footage showed live news anchors momentarily ducking and halting broadcasts as the studios shook. A cricket Test match at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium paused as spectators and players evacuated.

Emergency services in Bangladesh launched rescue operations, focusing on older neighbourhoods with fragile structures.

How Kolkata Reacted on the Ground

Immediate Evacuations and Emergency Response

Though no damage was reported, the tremors triggered:

• Mass evacuations from high-rise IT parks in Sector V
• Schools temporarily moving students to open playgrounds
• Metro Rail officials inspecting tunnels
• Hospitals shifting critical patients away from glass-heavy wards

Kolkata Police Disaster Management teams conducted checks in congested localities with older buildings.

Social Media Flooded With Videos

Platforms like X, Instagram, and WhatsApp were flooded with:

• Videos of shaking ceiling fans
• Security camera footage of shops vibrating
• Residents gathering in open fields
• Humorous memes attempting to lighten the panic

Many users said this was the strongest tremor since 2011, when the Sikkim quake shook the city.

Expert Reactions: What This Earthquake Reveals About Kolkata’s Future Risk

Located in a High-Risk Seismic Belt

Geologists note that Kolkata lies along the Kolkata–Mymensingh tectonic corridor, part of the Eocene Hinge Zone — a region prone to stress accumulation.

Several fault lines that influence Kolkata include:

• The Dauki Fault
• The Tripura Fold Belt
• The Indian Plate–Eurasian Plate collision zone

These tectonic interactions make eastern India susceptible to both local earthquakes and tremors from Bangladesh, Myanmar, and the Himalayan belt.

Soft Alluvial Soil Amplifies Ground Motion

The geological foundation of Kolkata — soft alluvial soil deposited by the Ganga–Brahmaputra river system — significantly amplifies seismic waves.
This means:
A quake of moderate magnitude can feel stronger in Kolkata than in cities on harder rock.

Building Vulnerability: A Persistent Threat

Urban development experts warn that:

• Many buildings in Kolkata are over 50–70 years old
• Several structures are built on reclaimed wetlands
• Some residential areas lack proper structural audits

This increases the risk of collapses if a higher-magnitude earthquake strikes.

Is a Bigger Earthquake Coming?

Experts clarify:

• This quake does not directly signal a major upcoming event
• But it indicates active tectonic pressure
• A future quake of 6.0–6.5 magnitude in this zone could cause serious damage in parts of Kolkata

They recommend urgent steps like microzonation updates, rigorous building checks, and compulsory retrofitting.

Public Safety Recommendations

What Authorities Suggest

• Avoid using elevators during tremors
• Know the Drop–Cover–Hold protocol
• Stay away from glass-heavy areas
• Maintain emergency kits at home

The West Bengal Disaster Management Department is expected to release fresh safety advisories following the incident.

Conclusion

The earthquake — though not destructive in Kolkata — served as a major reminder of the city’s seismic exposure.
With its dense population, aging structures, and fragile soil conditions, Kolkata remains highly vulnerable to moderate-to-strong earthquakes.

Urban planners, government bodies, and citizens now face renewed pressure to address preparedness gaps before a larger event occurs.