{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "After Landslides and Heavy Rain, Earthquake Rattles Murshidabad Late at Night",
  "summary": "Days after heavy rain and landslides battered West Bengal's Murshidabad district, a 3.7-magnitude earthquake struck late on Saturday night, sending frightened residents rushing out of their homes.",
  "content": "West Bengal's Murshidabad district has barely caught a break from nature this week. Days of heavy to very heavy rainfall had already triggered landslides in several pockets of the district, one of which cut off the New Farakka rail route until repair crews managed to restore it after a tough effort. Just as things seemed to be settling down, the ground itself began shaking late on Saturday night, an earthquake measuring 3.7 on the Richter scale sent panic through the district.\n\nQuake hit at 10:24 pm, epicentre just 10 km deep\nThe National Center for Seismology (NCS) confirmed that the tremor struck Murshidabad at exactly 10:24 pm. Its magnitude was recorded at 3.7 on the Richter scale, a reading in the mild-to-moderate range that is usually felt but rarely destructive. What made it noticeable was the shallow depth of the epicentre, only about 10 kilometres below the surface, which the NCS placed within Murshidabad district itself. Despite the sudden jolt, no injuries or property damage have been reported so far.\n\nTremors between Dhuliyan and Farakka sent people running outdoors\nLocals said the shaking was felt most sharply in the stretch between Dhuliyan and Farakka, two areas already worn down by weeks of rain and landslides. The late-night timing caught most residents off guard, waking many from sleep and pushing them out onto the streets until they were sure their homes were safe. For a population still recovering from the earlier landslides and the disruption to rail services, the earthquake added a fresh jolt of anxiety even though its intensity stayed on the lower side. Neither the district administration nor the NCS has confirmed any casualties or damage linked to the quake.\n\nWhy the Bengal basin keeps recording such tremors\nSeismologists point out that West Bengal and its surrounding Bengal basin have long sat in a zone with a history of seismic activity. Several major earthquakes over the decades have sent tremors as far as this basin, and experts say the region remains under the influence of multiple active fault lines. That, they explain, is why the occasional small or moderate earthquake here should not be read as something out of the ordinary, even if it arrives at an already difficult time for a district still dealing with the aftermath of landslides and heavy rain.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThe quake itself was mild, but for a district already battling rain and landslides, it is a reminder of why basic disaster preparedness matters.\n\n• Across India: People living in seismically active parts of the country should keep basic emergency essentials, a torch, important documents and drinking water, ready at hand. Even a mild 3.7-magnitude jolt arriving late at night can cause panic, so every household should know the basic dos and don'ts during an earthquake.\n• In Murshidabad, West Bengal: Residents around Dhuliyan and Farakka need to stay alert over the coming days, since ground already weakened by landslides and rain can react differently even to a mild tremor. Anyone whose home or route was affected by the landslides should exercise caution until local authorities complete their checks.\n• For rail passengers: Since the New Farakka route was already disrupted by the landslide, travellers on this stretch should confirm train timings and route status before setting out.\n• Watch official updates: No damage has been confirmed so far, but residents should keep an eye on any official information issued by the local administration or the NCS.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. When did the earthquake hit Murshidabad?\nLate on Saturday night at 10:24 pm.\n\n2. How strong was the earthquake?\nIt measured 3.7 on the Richter scale.\n\n3. Where was the epicentre?\nAccording to the NCS, it was within Murshidabad district itself, about 10 kilometres below the surface.\n\n4. Was any damage reported?\nNo loss of life or property has been reported so far.\n\n5. What had happened in Murshidabad before the earthquake?\nHeavy rain had triggered landslides in the district, which disrupted the New Farakka rail route.\n\n6. Where were the tremors felt the most?\nIn the stretch between Dhuliyan and Farakka.\n\n7. Has West Bengal seen earthquakes before?\nYes, experts say the Bengal basin is a seismically sensitive zone that has felt the effects of major earthquakes in the past.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/national/barisha-bhuskhalana-se-jujha-rahe-murshidabad-men-aba-dharati-doli-dera-rata-dahashata-men-loga-28405",
  "category": "India",
  "publishedAt": "2026-09-06",
  "tags": [
    "Murshidabad earthquake",
    "West Bengal",
    "Landslide",
    "Richter scale",
    "National Center for Seismology",
    "New Farakka rail route",
    "Dhuliyan Farakka"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}