A moderate earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale struck central Assam in the early hours of Monday, January 5, triggering widespread panic across the northeastern region and leaving two people injured as residents rushed out of their homes in fear. While no major damage to property or fatalities were reported, the tremors caused anxiety in several states.
According to the National Centre for Seismology, the earthquake was recorded at 4.17 am with its epicentre located in Morigaon district, on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra. The quake originated at a depth of 50 kilometres, with coordinates at latitude 26.37° North and longitude 92.29° East.
In Morigaon, two residents—identified as Neeraj Kumar and Jaymati Deuri—sustained serious head injuries while attempting to flee their homes immediately after the tremors were felt. Local residents rescued them and rushed them to Morigaon Civil Hospital. Hospital authorities said both patients are stable but are being kept under observation due to the severity of their injuries.
The sudden jolt woke people from sleep and sent many running outdoors in panic, highlighting the fear and confusion caused by the quake. Officials urged citizens to stay calm and adhere to safety guidelines during seismic events.
The tremors were felt across large parts of Assam, including Kamrup Metropolitan, Nagaon, Hojai, Golaghat, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao and the Barak Valley districts. Shaking was also reported from neighbouring states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, as well as parts of West Bengal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
Authorities confirmed that there were no reports of major structural damage. Disaster management agencies remain on alert, noting that the northeastern region falls under a high seismic zone and is vulnerable to frequent earthquakes. Residents have been advised to remain cautious and prepared in case of aftershocks.
