An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 was recorded in the Bay of Bengal near Puri, Odisha.
An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 struck the Bay of Bengal near Puri, Odisha on the morning of Tuesday, February 25, 2025. The tremors were felt in several coastal districts of Odisha, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Paradip, as well as parts of West Bengal, especially Kolkata. The earthquake, which struck at 6:10 am, was recorded at a depth of 91 km, with its epicentre located at latitude 19.52 degrees north and longitude 88.55 degrees east, about 286 km east of Puri. Despite the significant magnitude, there are no immediate reports of casualties or structural damage and the impact is said to be negligible as the epicentre is located off the coast. Earthquake details Magnitude and location: The earthquake had a magnitude of 5.1 and its epicentre was in the Bay of Bengal near Puri, Odisha Time of occurrence: The earthquake struck at 6:10 am on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. Areas affected: Tremors were felt in many parts of Odisha, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Paradip, Berhampur, Balasore and other coastal districts. In West Bengal, the tremors were also felt in Kolkata and Digha and in neighbouring states such as Jharkhand (Dhanbad) and Bihar (Gaya). Tremors also reached parts of Bangladesh. Impact and response: The earthquake lasted only a few seconds, causing momentary panic among residents, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage. Social media played a key role in disseminating information and ensuring community support. Although the city is not directly located on active fault lines, seismic activities in neighbouring regions such as the Bay of Bengal can cause earthquakes. The event has highlighted the need for robust building practices and disaster preparedness plans in urban areas. Context and background
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Seismic activity in the region: The Bay of Bengal is a geologically complex region, with frequent seismic activities. Although most of these earthquakes are not severe enough to cause much damage, they are a reminder of the region's vulnerability. The recent earthquake is part of a broader pattern of seismicity in the region.
Previous seismic events: On Sunday, February 23, 2025, an earthquake of magnitude 3.7 struck Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, with tremors felt in parts of the district. No loss of life or property was reported, but the incident underscored the seismic vulnerability of the region.
Seismic zones in India: Odisha and West Bengal fall in seismic zones III and II, which are considered moderate to low-grade earthquakes. The Mahanadi and Brahmani river valleys as well as major cities such as Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri fall in seismic zone III.
Official statement and monitoring
National Centre for Seismology (NCS): The NCS reported the earthquake and gave detailed information about its magnitude, depth and epicentre. The agency continues to monitor the region for potential tremors.
India Meteorological Department (IMD): The IMD confirmed details of the earthquake and said the impact was negligible, but residents should remain vigilant. The department also forecast the possibility of a tsunami following the earthquake, though no immediate threat was reported.
Community response
Social media: Social media platforms such as X played a key role in disseminating information and ensuring community support. Many residents shared their experiences and checked on the safety of others, highlighting the importance of digital platforms in fostering a sense of solidarity during natural disasters.
Residents' experiences: Residents across various cities reported that they felt the tremors, with some even waking up to the tremors. A resident of Rourkela reported that he felt waves when his room was shaking, while another resident of Cuttack reported that he woke up when his bed was shaking.