Moderate earthquake jolts northeastern India

January 05, 2026 / 9:52 AM

Sharjah24 - AFP: A moderate earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale struck India’s northeastern state of Assam early on Monday, according to the US Geological Survey.

Epicentre near Bhutan border

The shallow tremor was centred about three kilometres from the village of Dhing, close to India’s border with Bhutan, and occurred at around 4:17 am local time (2247 GMT on Sunday).

Strong shaking, Limited impact

The USGS reported strong ground shaking in the affected area, but said the number of people exposed was likely limited, reducing the risk of widespread damage or casualties.

Seismically active Himalayan region

Northeastern India lies within the seismically active Himalayan belt, a region that experiences significant earthquakes on a regular basis and has recorded some of the country’s most destructive tremors.

Deadly quakes in history

Assam has suffered devastating earthquakes in the past, including a 1950 quake that killed around 4,800 people in Assam and Tibet. The Great Assam Earthquake of 1897 remains one of the most powerful ever to strike India, leaving hundreds dead in remote hill areas.