Fear of earthquake in Kolkata, people ran away from offices, know where was the epicenter and what was the intensity.

News India Live, Digital Desk: Today i.e. on 27 February 2026, at around 1:22 pm, strong earthquake tremors were felt in Kolkata and various districts of West Bengal. The intensity of the earthquake has been measured between 5.3 to 5.5 on the Richter scale. The tremors were so strong that people panicked and came out of offices, homes and schools. Along with Kolkata, strong tremors were also felt in districts of South Bengal like North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah and Hooghly. This earthquake lasted for about 10 seconds.1. Epicenter & Depth: The epicenter of the earthquake was in Nayabazar (near Satkhira) of Bangladesh. This place is about 100 kilometers from Kolkata and only 26 kilometers from the border town of Taki in West Bengal. Depth: According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and USGS, its depth was only 10 kilometers below the ground. Due to the shallow centre, the tremors were felt quite strong.2. How was the scene in Kolkata? Stampede in offices: Employees working in Salt Lake’s IT hub, Dalhousie and State Secretariat ‘Nabanna’ gathered outside on the open roads as soon as the tremors were felt. Minister’s meeting stopped: When the earthquake struck, Union Minister of State Sukant Majumdar was addressing a meeting. Due to the tremors, he had to stop his speech midway.High-Rise Building: People living in high-rise buildings said that fans, chandeliers and furniture started shaking very forcefully, due to which panic spread among the people.3. Experts’ Opinion: Why is Kolkata sensitive? According to scientists, Kolkata is situated on ‘soft alluvial soil’. This soil acts like a ‘megaphone’ for earthquake waves, due to which even an earthquake of magnitude 5 feels quite powerful here. This is called ‘Amplification’.4. Was there any damage? Loss of life and property: It is a matter of relief that at present there is no news of any casualty or collapse of any major building. Old buildings: There have been reports of minor cracks in some old buildings in central Kolkata, but the situation is being monitored by the administration. What to do during an earthquake? (Safety Tips) Go out in the open: If possible, immediately move to an open place away from tall buildings and electric poles. Hide under a table: If it is not possible to go out, sit under a strong table or bed and cover your head with your hands. Do not use the lift: Use the stairs only during or immediately after an earthquake.