Moderate earthquake shakes Assam in early hours

A 5.4-MAGNITUDE earthquake struck Assam in northeastern India in the early hours of Monday, sending tremors across the region and prompting concern among local communities.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake, which occurred at 4:17 am local time, was shallow and centred just three kilometres from the village of Dhing, close to India’s border with Bhutan.

News.Az, citing international media, reported that while strong shaking was felt in the area, the USGS anticipated only a limited impact on the population.

The region, part of the seismically active Himalayan belt, is no stranger to powerful earthquakes.

Historical records show that Assam has endured some of India’s deadliest tremors, including the 1950 quake that claimed around 4,800 lives in Assam and Tibet. Even earlier, the Great Assam Earthquake of 1897, one of the most intense ever recorded in India, caused hundreds of deaths in the remote hill districts.

Experts continue to monitor the area, noting that moderate to severe earthquakes occur annually in the Himalayan region, underscoring the persistent seismic risk to local communities. - January 5, 2025