Strong tremors were felt across Kolkata and several parts of south Bengal on Friday afternoon after a 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck neighboring Bangladesh, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS).
According to NCS, today’s earthquake indices are as follows:
Size: 5.5
Date: 02/27/2026
Time: 13:22:25 India time
Latitude: 22.57 north
Longitude: 89.11 East
Depth: 10 km
Region: Bangladesh
The National Service Center identified the epicenter of the earthquake in southwestern Bangladesh, with a magnitude of 5.3. The earthquake occurred at approximately 1:52 pm local time.
Earlier, the US Geological Survey announced that the magnitude of the earthquake reached 5.3, and its epicenter was located 26 km southwest of Khulna at 13:52:30 local time.
Variations in initial magnitude estimates are common as agencies work to improve seismic data.
Kolkata residents rush out
The earthquake, which lasted several seconds, was strongly felt in high-rise buildings across Kolkata.
Office workers exited the buildings as a precaution. In many residential complexes, residents gathered in open spaces.
There were no immediate reports of major structural damage or casualties in Kolkata.
The epicenter of the earthquake is close to the Bangladesh border
Khulna is located in southwestern Bangladesh, relatively close to the Indo-Bangladesh border and the Sundarbans delta region. The proximity of the epicenter, about 100-150 km from Kolkata, explains why the tremors were clearly felt throughout South Bengal.
According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred 23 kilometers from the city of Taki in West Bengal.
The 5.3 magnitude earthquake is classified as moderate, capable of causing noticeable shaking over a wide area, especially in areas with soft alluvial soil such as the Ganges Delta.
