India: Magnitude-5.1 offshore earthquake occurs near Andaman Islands at around 12:16 Oct. 20

Event

A magnitude-5.1 offshore earthquake occurred in the Andaman Sea east of the Andaman Islands, at around 12:16 Oct. 20. The epicenter was about 52 km (32 miles) east-southeast of Port Blair. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 91 km (57 miles), and light shaking was probably felt throughout the Andaman Islands. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Light aftershocks are likely over the coming days. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

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.

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.