Moderate Quake Jolts Dhaka and Beyond

A moderate earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale struck Bangladesh on Friday afternoon, shaking the capital, Dhaka, and several other regions across the country. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the tremor originated in Ashashuni upazila of Satkhira district, located in the south-western coastal belt.

The earthquake was recorded at 1:52:29 pm local time and lasted for several seconds, prompting many residents to leave buildings in alarm. The epicentre lay approximately 188 kilometres from the Meteorological Department’s seismic observatory in Agargaon, Dhaka. Officials described the event as moderate in intensity, a classification generally applied to earthquakes ranging between 5.0 and 5.9 in magnitude.

Meteorologist Farzana Sultana, speaking from the Department’s Earthquake Monitoring Centre, confirmed the 5.4 magnitude reading. Rubaiyat Kabir, the centre’s acting officer, noted that while such quakes are not uncommon in the region, they warrant vigilance, particularly in densely populated urban areas.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a slightly lower magnitude of 5.3 at the source. Minor discrepancies between national and international monitoring agencies are not unusual, as readings can vary depending on instrumentation and data analysis methods.

Professor Humayun Akhter, former faculty member of the Department of Geology at the University of Dhaka, observed that the quake was felt in two distinct phases, suggesting a possible sequence of tremors in quick succession. Local correspondents in Satkhira described strong shaking in Ashashuni, though no immediate reports of major structural damage or casualties emerged.

Tremors were also felt across the border in Kolkata and other districts of India’s West Bengal state, where local media reported a magnitude of approximately 5.0.

This latest event follows a 5.1 magnitude earthquake on Wednesday night, the epicentre of which was located in Myanmar. Earlier this month, another tremor was recorded in Kalaroa upazila, also in Satkhira district. Authorities have previously categorised the south-western coastal zone as comparatively low-risk, although periodic seismic activity has been documented.

A summary of recent seismic events is provided below:

Bangladesh lies near the junction of several active tectonic plates, making it vulnerable to seismic disturbances. Experts continue to stress the importance of enforcing national building codes, enhancing public awareness, and strengthening emergency preparedness to mitigate potential risks from future earthquakes.