A 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck the Bay of Bengal early Tuesday morning, causing tremors across Odisha and parts of West Bengal, including Kolkata. The quake was recorded near Puri at 6:10 am, but there have been no reports of casualties or structural damage so far.

The tremors were felt in several regions of Odisha, including Berhampur, Balasore, Cuttack, and Bhubaneswar, catching residents off guard. As Odisha lies in a moderately earthquake-prone zone, the unexpected jolt lasted for nearly a minute.

People in different parts of the state shared their experiences on social media. A resident from Rourkela mentioned feeling strong vibrations, while another from Cuttack said they woke up to the shaking of their bed.

Kolkata also experienced tremors, prompting residents to discuss the event online. One user posted, "Felt a significant jolt in Kolkata. Did anyone else feel it?"

Odisha falls within seismic zones II and III, meaning it is at a moderate risk of earthquakes. Cities such as Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Sambalpur, and Balasore, which are near the Mahanadi and Brahmani river valleys, are particularly susceptible. In 2023, Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Department had highlighted that 14 districts in the state are vulnerable to seismic activity.

Similarly, Kolkata is situated in seismic zone III, making it moderately prone to earthquakes. While tremors are not frequent, the city occasionally feels the impact of earthquakes originating from Nepal or northeastern India. Earlier this year, mild tremors were reported in Kolkata following a powerful earthquake in Tibet.

Authorities have advised residents to remain vigilant and follow safety protocols in case of future seismic activity.