A powerful earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale struck Assam on Sunday evening, causing panic among residents and tremors across several northeastern states as well as neighbouring Bhutan. The National Center for Seismology (NCS) reported that the quake occurred at 4:41 PM, with its epicentre located in the Udalguri district. The tremors originated at a shallow depth of just 5 kilometres, making them more strongly felt on the surface.

In Guwahati, the state capital, the quake caused widespread alarm as people rushed out of their homes and buildings. “It felt like it would never stop,” said one resident. Another shared, “For a minute, I thought I was dead. I genuinely believed the roof would cave in.” Despite the intensity of the shaking, no major damage or loss of life has been reported so far.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to social media platform X to reassure citizens. “We are actively monitoring the situation,” he posted. Former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also expressed concern, calling the incident a “major earthquake” and offering prayers for everyone’s safety and well-being.

Assam is no stranger to earthquakes. The state lies in one of India’s most seismically active zones — classified as Zone V by the NCS, indicating a very high risk. This region is part of the complex tectonic boundary where the Indian plate collides with and subducts beneath the Eurasian plate. As a result, earthquakes are frequent and can often be intense.

The region has a long history of major seismic events. Notable among them are the 1950 Assam–Tibet earthquake, which had a magnitude of 8.6 and remains one of the strongest recorded quakes in the world, and the 1897 Shillong earthquake, which registered at 8.1.

While Sunday's quake caused fear and temporary disruption, it serves as a crucial reminder of the need for disaster preparedness in the region. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, and residents have been urged to remain alert but calm.