A 6.1M Quake Triggers Myanmar, Tremors Across Eastern India

An earthquake of magnitude 6.1 struck Myanmar on Tuesday evening, February 3, sending tremors across parts of eastern and northeastern India, including Kolkata. The quake's epicentre was located in Myanmar, but its impact was felt hundreds of kilometres away, causing brief panic among residents.

People living in high-rise buildings and office workers reported feeling noticeable shaking, prompting many to step outside as a precaution. However, there were no immediate reports of casualties or structural damage in India following the tremors.

This latest seismic activity comes amid a series of earthquakes recorded across the region in recent weeks. Earlier, on January 2, a 2.8-magnitude tremor was reported in North Delhi. Just a day before the Myanmar quake, Budgam in Kashmir experienced a 4.8-magnitude earthquake, with tremors felt across the Valley. On the same day, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were also hit by a 4.6-magnitude quake.

The close timing of these earthquakes has raised public concerns that the repeated tremors could signal a larger disaster. Seismologists, however, explain that India and its surrounding regions lie along active tectonic plate boundaries, making frequent low- to moderate-intensity earthquakes relatively common.

According to experts, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that a cluster of such earthquakes automatically leads to a major seismic event.

While authorities continue to closely monitor seismic activity, disaster management agencies have advised citizens to remain calm but prepared, follow safety guidelines, and rely only on official updates.

For now, experts stress that these earthquakes are not unusual for the region. Do these multiple quakes signal a major disaster?