5.1-Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Assam’s Morigaon District; No Casualties Or Damage Reported

A moderate earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale struck Assam’s Morigaon district in the early hours of Monday, January 5, 2026, jolting residents awake and sending tremors across central and northeastern parts of the state. According to seismic authorities, the quake caused no reported injuries or significant damage to property.

The earthquake occurred at around 4.17 am with its epicentre located in the Morigaon district of central Assam. According to seismic officials, the tremor originated at a depth of roughly 50 kilometres beneath the surface of the Earth. This helped limit surface-level damage despite the quake being felt across a wide area.

Residents in Morigaon were among the first to experience the shaking, but tremors quickly spread to neighbouring districts, including Kamrup Metropolitan, Nagaon, Hojai, Karbi Anglong, Jorhat, and Sivasagar. People in parts of Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura also reported feeling the quake, as did residents in a few neighbouring countries.

Awakened by the shaking, many people stepped out of their homes as a precaution. However, state disaster management authorities said there were no reports of injuries, loss of life or damage to buildings and infrastructure. Local administrations continued to assess the situation throughout the morning to rule out any delayed impact.

Assam Earthquakes: A Region With A History Of Seismic Activity

Assam lies in one of the most earthquake-prone regions of the country due to its location near active tectonic plate boundaries and fault lines such as the Kopili fault zone. The state falls under Seismic Zone V, which is classified as the highest risk category in India’s seismic zoning map.

In recent months, Assam has experienced several moderate earthquakes that caused alarm but limited damage. In September last year, a quake stronger than Monday’s struck parts of western Assam, triggering concerns about structural safety, though major losses were avoided. Earlier, in February, Morigaon itself had been the epicentre of another earthquake of similar intensity, but it spared the region from casualties.

Historically, the state has witnessed far more destructive seismic events. The 1950 Assam-Tibet earthquake remains one of the most powerful earthquakes recorded on land and caused widespread devastation across the Northeast. Other significant quakes, including those in southern Assam during the 1980s, led to loss of life and damage to infrastructure.

(With inputs from various sources.)

FAQs

1. Where did the Assam earthquake occur?
The earthquake struck Assam’s Morigaon district, with tremors spreading across central Assam and other northeastern states.

2. What was the magnitude of the Morigaon earthquake?
The earthquake measured 5.1 on the Richter scale, classifying it as a moderate seismic event.

3. Were there any casualties or property damage reported?
No. Authorities confirmed that there were no injuries, loss of life, or significant damage to property or infrastructure.

4. Why is Assam prone to earthquakes?
Assam lies near active tectonic fault zones and falls under Seismic Zone V, the highest earthquake risk category in India.

5. Has Morigaon experienced earthquakes before?
Yes. Morigaon and surrounding regions have recorded several moderate earthquakes in recent years, though most caused limited damage.