Satkhira Epicentre Shakes Bangladesh

A moderate earthquake was felt across Dhaka and several other parts of Bangladesh on Friday afternoon, briefly unsettling residents and prompting many to leave office buildings and homes as a precaution. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the tremor originated in the south-western district of Satkhira, close to the Indian border.

The BMD’s Earthquake Observation Centre reported a magnitude of 5.4 on the Richter scale. By contrast, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) measured the event slightly lower, at 5.3 at the epicentre. Such minor discrepancies are not unusual, as different monitoring agencies use varying instrumentation and analytical models.

The tremor struck at approximately 1:54 pm local time and lasted for several seconds. Although relatively brief, the shaking was sufficiently perceptible in high-rise buildings in the capital to cause alarm among occupants. Initial reports indicated no significant structural damage or casualties, though authorities continued to monitor the situation.

Professor Humayun Akhter, a former academic of the Department of Geology at the University of Dhaka, observed that two successive jolts were felt within a short interval. He confirmed Satkhira as the likely source area and noted that the pattern suggested movement along an active fault system in the region. Bangladesh lies within a seismically active zone influenced by the complex interaction of the Indian, Eurasian and Burmese tectonic plates, making periodic moderate tremors relatively common.

Indian media outlets reported that the quake was also felt in several districts of West Bengal, where the magnitude was estimated at around 5. Given Satkhira’s proximity to the border, cross-border perceptibility was expected.

A summary of the available seismic data is provided below:

Seismologists reiterate that while a magnitude 5-plus earthquake is considered moderate, its impact depends heavily on depth, soil composition and building standards. Bangladesh’s rapid urbanisation, particularly in Dhaka, has heightened concerns over structural resilience. Experts continue to stress the importance of enforcing earthquake-resistant construction codes and strengthening public preparedness measures to mitigate the risks posed by future seismic events.