Assam, Dec 05 : An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 struck Morigaon district in Assam early on Monday, highlighting the region’s persistent seismic vulnerability and underscoring the need for continued preparedness, officials said.
The tremor occurred at 4:17 a.m. on January 5, with its epicentre at latitude 26.37°N and longitude 92.29°E, at a depth of 50 km, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS).
Authorities reported no immediate injuries or damage to property. The earthquake was widely felt across parts of central Assam and neighbouring areas, temporarily unsettling residents who woke to the early-morning shaking.
Assam in a high-risk seismic zone
The NCS confirmed that the quake struck a region known for frequent seismic activity, as Assam and the broader Northeast lie within one of India’s most earthquake-prone zones. The area experiences high seismic risk due to the collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian and Burmese plates.
Experts note that this tectonic setting makes cities such as Guwahati and other parts of the Brahmaputra valley particularly vulnerable to earthquakes of varying magnitudes.
Last September, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake rattled parts of Assam, including Guwahati, though no major damage occurred. Historical records also cite the 1897 Assam earthquake, which measured over 8.0 magnitude, causing widespread destruction in the Brahmaputra valley and beyond.
Focus on preparedness
Seismologists emphasise that even moderate quakes underscore the importance of earthquake-resilient infrastructure, robust disaster management, and community awareness. Strengthening building codes, enhancing early-warning systems, and ensuring public readiness remain critical to reducing risks in this seismically active region.