5.8-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Northeast, West Bengal Injuring Two

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck Assam and parts of the northeastern region of India, including West Bengal, on September 14, followed by three aftershocks within about 90 minutes. The epicenters were located in Assam's Sonitpur and Udalguri districts, with the quake felt strongly in neighboring areas including Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and parts of West Bengal. Two girls were injured in Udalguri due to a hostel ceiling collapse, and several houses suffered damage such as cracks and partial collapses in multiple districts, though no major casualties or widespread structural damage have been reported. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was visiting the region, contacted Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to offer federal assistance, and disaster management teams are actively assessing the situation with helplines established for public support. Residents were urged to remain calm and follow safety protocols amid the tremors, which are linked to the seismic activity of the Himalayan tectonic belt, placing the region in India's highest risk earthquake zone. The National Disaster Response Force has been deployed for rapid surveys while authorities continue monitoring for aftershocks and potential damage.