A 5.8‑magnitude earthquake struck India’s northeastern state of Assam on Sunday, sending tremors across the region but causing no immediate reports of damage or casualties, officials said.
India’s National Center for Seismology said the quake had a shallow depth of about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) and its epicenter was near the town of Udalguri. Residents in Guwahati, the state capital, said they felt the ground shake and many rushed outside their homes as a precaution.
The National Center for Seismology and local authorities reported there were no immediate indications of structural damage or injuries. Emergency and municipal services in Assam said they were monitoring the situation and conducting checks in affected areas. Local officials urged people to remain calm and to follow standard safety measures for aftershocks.
Seismologists classify a depth of 5 kilometers as shallow, a characteristic that can amplify shaking felt at the surface, though that effect varies with local geology and building construction. The agency did not immediately issue any tsunami warnings or advisories, and there were no reports of secondary hazards linked to the quake.
Northern and northeastern India lie in a seismically active zone where the Indian tectonic plate continues to converge with the Eurasian plate, a process that created the Himalayas and leaves the region prone to earthquakes. Assam and neighboring states have experienced damaging quakes in the past, prompting authorities to emphasize preparedness and building resilience in vulnerable communities.
State officials and disaster-response teams said they would carry out further inspections in towns and villages near the epicenter once field teams could safely access the area. Power and communications services in major population centers, including Guwahati, remained operational following the tremor.
The incident was reported by news agencies citing the National Center for Seismology and local officials. Authorities advised residents to stay alert for any official updates and to avoid entering damaged structures until they have been inspected by qualified personnel.