Kolkata: The aftershocks of a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand on Friday morning was felt in Kolkata, about 2,073 km away from its epicentre in Sagaing. Many residents in different parts of the city reportedly felt mild tremors around 12.30 pm, with utensils falling in kitchens, and fans or wall hangings swaying in their houses.
However, there was no report of property damage, though some residents living in century-old buildings in northern or central parts of the city were worried. Kolkatans were getting updates from TV or cellphones about the quake. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake had a depth of 10 km, with its epicentre located 16 km northwest of the city of Sagaing. An aftershock of magnitude 6.4 followed shortly after.
Aditi Singha Mitter, a Baghbazar resident and dance teacher who lives in a 150-year-old house, said, "I was getting dressed for my class when I felt a tremor. Then I noticed that the wall hangings were swaying. The TV was on, and I saw the news about the earthquake. I was worried because my house is old. But thankfully, nothing much happened in the city."
Dental surgeon Anushka Khetan from Manoharpukur said: "I was working when my table started shaking. My assistants and I then realised it was an earthquake. But there was little panic as the tremor was not of high intensity."
Sonal Rajgarria, a fashion designer from Kankurgachhi, said, "The tremors here did not cause me much worry. Later, when I heard of the quake, I was shocked." Megha Biswas, a Dum Dum resident, said, "I was preparing lunch when I noticed some utensils were shaking."
Somdutta Biswas Bhattacharya from north Kolkata said, "I was studying when my table shook mildly. Some time later, I got an alert about the quake in Myanmar and Thailand."
Environment scientist Swati Nandi Chakraborty told TOI: "Nowadays, weather patterns are shifting, indirectly affecting seismic activity. This earthquake is a result of it, I believe."
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