Bangladesh, India: A magnitude-5.5 earthquake occurs in the border area between Sylhet Division and Meghalaya State at around 20:49 BST Aug. 14

Event

A magnitude-5.5 earthquake occurred in the border area between Bangladesh's Sylhet Division and India Meghalaya State at around 20:49 BST Aug. 14. The epicenter was about 36 km (22 miles) east-northeast of Sylhet, Bangladesh. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 35 km (22 miles), and strong-to-moderate shaking was probably felt near the epicenter, as well as light shaking throughout parts of eastern Bangladesh, northeastern India, far southwestern Bhutan, and far northwestern Myanmar. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake. Significant damage is unlikely; however, some minor damage is possible near the epicenter. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Moderate-to-light aftershocks are likely over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.