An earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale struck Morigaon district in Assam early Monday, once again highlighting the Northeast’s high seismic risk, officials said.
According to the National Centre for Seismology, the tremor occurred at 4.17 a.m. on January 5, with its epicentre located at a depth of about 50 km. The shaking was felt across several parts of central Assam and adjoining areas, briefly alarming residents who were woken by the tremors.
Authorities said there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to property.
Seismologists noted that Assam and the wider northeastern region lie in one of India’s most earthquake-prone zones due to active tectonic interactions involving the Indian, Eurasian and Burmese plates. This geological setting makes cities such as Guwahati and the Brahmaputra valley particularly vulnerable to earthquakes of varying intensity.
The region has witnessed several notable tremors in recent years, including a 5.8-magnitude quake last September. Historical records also recall the catastrophic 1897 Assam earthquake, which caused widespread devastation.
Experts reiterated that recurring seismic activity, even of moderate magnitude, underlines the urgent need for earthquake-resilient infrastructure and strengthened disaster preparedness across Assam and the Northeast.
