Dhaka, Dec 02: A mild earthquake was felt in several parts of Bangladesh, including Chattogram, early Tuesday morning, sparking concern among residents though no casualties were reported. The tremor, measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale, was recorded at 12:55 am, according to meteorologist Shahnaj Sultana of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
The epicentre of the quake was located in Mingin, Myanmar, about 431 kilometres southeast of the BMD Seismic Centre in Agargaon, Dhaka. Shahnaj Sultana confirmed that the tremor was moderate in nature and did not cause structural damage, but it was strong enough to be felt across Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, and parts of Dhaka.
Residents in Chattogram, including Abdul Karim of Agrabad and Nasima Akhter of Halishahar, reported feeling the tremor and rushing outdoors in fear. “It was sudden, and the shaking woke us up. We gathered outside until it stopped,” said Abdul Karim.
Officials at the BMD reassured the public that the earthquake posed no major threat, but urged citizens to remain cautious. “We advise people to stay alert and follow safety guidelines during such tremors,” said Dr. Azizur Rahman, Director of BMD.
Meanwhile, the National Center for Seismology under India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences reported a separate 4.2 magnitude earthquake in the Bay of Bengal at 7:56 am, with its epicentre at latitude 20.56°N and longitude 92.31°E, at a depth of 35 kilometres.
Authorities confirmed that emergency services in Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar were placed on standby, though no damage or injuries have been reported so far. Local officials, including Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, urged residents to remain calm and assured that monitoring systems are active.
The tremors have once again highlighted Bangladesh’s vulnerability to seismic activity, with experts stressing the importance of preparedness and public awareness in reducing risks during future events.
