Moderate Earthquake Strikes Morigaon, Assam, Felt Across Northeast India

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck Morigaon, Assam, early Monday morning, with tremors felt across various districts in the Northeast, including Meghalaya and parts of Arunachal Pradesh. Authorities have reported no immediate damage or casualties. This seismic event follows a series of earthquakes in Nepal, highlighting the region's vulnerability to seismic activity. Residents evacuated to open spaces as a precaution. The northeastern region is known for its high seismic sensitivity, making such occurrences not uncommon. Read on for more details about the earthquake's impact and context.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 5, 2026, 09:18 IST

Earthquake Details

The National Center for Seismology (NCS) reported that a moderate earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale occurred in Morigaon, Assam, at 04:17:40 IST on Monday. Tremors were felt in several districts of Assam as well as in Shillong, Meghalaya. Authorities have indicated that there are currently no reports of damage or casualties.

According to the National Earthquake Monitoring Center, the earthquake was recorded at a depth of 50 kilometers, with its epicenter located in Morigaon district, south of the Brahmaputra River, at coordinates 26.37° N latitude and 92.29° E longitude.

Widespread Impact

The tremors were experienced in various districts including Kamrup Metropolitan, Nagaon, East Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, Hojai, Dima Hasao, Golaghat, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Cachar, Karimganj, Hailakandi, Dhubri, South Salmara-Manakachar, and Goalpara. Additionally, areas on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra, such as Darrang, Tamulpur, Sonitpur, Kamrup, Biswanath, Udalguri, Nalbari, Bajali, Barpeta, Baksa, Chirang, Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, and Lakhimpur also felt the quake.

Regional Effects

Tremors were also reported in parts of central-western Arunachal Pradesh, throughout Meghalaya, and in several regions of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and West Bengal. Reports indicate that the earthquake was felt in eastern Bhutan, parts of China, and Bangladesh as well. Following the tremors, many residents evacuated their homes and sought safety in open areas.

The northeastern region is known for its high seismic activity, making it particularly vulnerable to earthquakes.

Seismic Activity Context

Seismologists note that the northeastern region is part of a highly seismic zone, where earthquakes of varying magnitudes frequently occur. The recent tremors in Assam followed a series of earthquakes in Nepal over the weekend. On Sunday night, a 4.3 magnitude quake struck Udayapur district in eastern Nepal, with its epicenter in Bagapathi. Earlier that day, another quake measuring 4.6 occurred in Taplejung district.

Nepal is situated in one of the most tectonically active regions of the Himalayas, making it highly susceptible to earthquakes throughout the year. However, officials in Nepal have reported no casualties or significant damage in the region.