Assam earthquake: 5.9 magnitude quake strikes Guwahati, tremors felt in Bhutan, China

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck Assam’s Guwahati on Sunday (Sep 14) at 4:41 pm, according to the National Center for Seismology of India. Tremors were also felt in other northeastern states of the country and neighbouring nations of Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan, and China. The epicenter of the quake was located at a depth of 5 kilometres in Udalguri, Assam.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that there were no reports of any major damage or loss of life. He added that the authorities are monitoring the situation.

“So far , there has been no report of any major damage or loss of life . We are actively monitoring the situation,” he wrote on X.

The earthquake resulted in panic among residents in Guwahati, who rushed out of their homes as the tremors hit the region. The recent earthquake comes days after a 3.5 magnitude earthquake struck Sonitpur in Assam on September 2.

Former Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal also took to X, wishing for everyone’s safety and well-being. “Major earthquake in Assam. My prayers for everyone's safety and well-being,” he said. “Urge all to stay alert!”

Earthquakes are not uncommon in Assam. The state lies on India’s one of the most seismically active regions. The NCS has categorised the resion as seismically ‘very active’, due to frequent earthquakes in the region. This is associated with Hazard zone V with collisional tectonics where the Indian plate subducts beneath the Eurasian Plate.

Residents share videos on social media

Social media users took to X to share videos and pictures of the earthquake. Chairman-Campaign Committee and former president of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee Bhupen kumar Borah wrote on X, “An earthquake struck Guwahati today. Sharing a glimpse from my residence — this flower tub alone is enough to show how powerful the tremors were.” He also shared a video of a flower vase shaking during the quake.