Dhaka Shaken Again as Mild Quake Strikes Early Morning

The country experienced another tremor within just two days, as a magnitude 4.1 earthquake shook several regions, including the capital, in the early hours of Thursday (4 December). The quake struck at precisely 6:14:44am, prompting many residents to wake abruptly and step out of their homes in fear.

According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) in India and the European–Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the earthquake originated approximately 33 kilometres north–northeast of Tongi in Gazipur and just 3 kilometres north of Narsingdi. The depth of the quake was measured at around 30 kilometres, which contributed to its noticeable vibration despite its relatively modest magnitude.

An official from the Seismic Observation Centre at the Meteorological Department, Rubaiyyat Kabir, informed the media that the epicentre was located in Shibpur of Narsingdi. He confirmed that the tremor was mild, registering 4.1 on the Richter scale.

Earlier, on Monday (1 December) at 12:55am, another quake was felt in Dhaka, Sylhet, Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the epicentre of that quake was in Myanmar’s Minjin region, with a depth of 106.8 kilometres and a magnitude of 4.9. The Meteorological Department noted that it occurred 431 kilometres away from Dhaka and was classified as a light tremor.

In addition, yet another earthquake measuring 4.2 struck the Bay of Bengal at 7:56am on 2 December.

The series of tremors since the powerful quake on 21 November has heightened public anxiety, particularly in the capital. That 5.7 magnitude quake in Narsingdi was felt by nearly 140 million people across the country. At least 10 people lost their lives and hundreds sustained injuries. Numerous buildings in Dhaka developed cracks, while several were reported to have tilted dangerously. On 22 November, two more tremors were felt—once in the morning and again in the evening—across Dhaka and nearby districts.

Experts warn that although the magnitudes remain moderate, the increasing frequency of tremors could indicate a heightened seismic risk. A brief summary of the recent earthquakes is presented in the following table.

Table: Recent Earthquakes in Bangladesh

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