Kolkata Shaken by 52-Second Earthquake, Causing Citywide Disruption
A significant earthquake struck near Nayabazar, approximately 100 kilometers from Kolkata, on Friday afternoon, sending powerful tremors through the city for 52 seconds—the longest such event in recent memory. The quake triggered widespread panic, disrupting classrooms, offices, and even political activities at the state assembly.
Minister's Quip Amidst Panic at Park Street Event
At a program on Park Street, Junior Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar was mid-speech when the tremors began. As audience members scrambled for exits, he paused and asked, "Should I stop?" After a brief interruption, Majumdar attempted to lighten the mood, remarking, "I think the tremors are hinting towards initiation of the election period in Bengal." His comment came as fear was evident on the faces of attendees, mirroring reactions across Kolkata.
Exam Halls Evacuated as Schools Implement Safety Protocols
The earthquake severely disrupted academic schedules, affecting multiple institutions conducting crucial exams:
- Bhawanipur Mitra Institution: Headmaster Raja Dey reported immediate evacuation of seven students taking supplementary HS exams. They were granted extra time to complete their papers after the scare.
- Sarsuna Law College: Third-semester exams were interrupted for about five minutes as examinees and examiners debated whether to flee the shaking classroom before resuming.
- Vivekananda Mission School: Students nearing the end of final exams noticed fans shaking, leading to tension. They received an additional five minutes to compensate for the confusion.
- Delhi Public School Megacity: The school in New Town reassured parents via messages, stating all students and staff were safe. "The School Management and staff acted promptly and responsibly, immediately initiating evacuation procedures as per our safety protocol. All children were calmly escorted out of the building and assembled in designated safe areas under close supervision," the communication read.
Office Workers Flee High-Rise Buildings in Key Business Districts
Across Kolkata's commercial hubs, employees experienced sudden fright. Tanima Mondal, working on the seventh floor of an MNC on Park Circus Connector, described, "I was working on a presentation when the desk shook. The glass water bottle was trembling, and the glass windows started vibrating. We immediately ran downstairs as the security guards rushed in front of the lift, asking employees not to use it."
Similar scenes unfolded in Salt Lake, Sector V, Dalhousie, and Park Street, where meetings were paused and people hurried outside. An executive near Park Street noted, "It lasted only a few seconds, but it was enough to cause panic."
Residents in high-rise areas like New Town, Rajarhat, and south Kolkata reported intensified shaking on upper floors. Rajesh Gupta, living on the 33rd floor of South City, said, "The ceiling fan was swaying, and the cupboard doors began to rattle, and I felt the building was swaying. I am well aware of this feeling and knew it was yet another earthquake. Everyone in our tower took the stairs to rush to the open area in the complex."
Political Activities Interrupted at State Assembly
Preparations for the Rajya Sabha elections were underway at the West Bengal assembly when the tremor hit. Forest Minister Birbaha Hansda shared, "I was speaking to my younger sister on the phone. She told me, 'I am sitting on the bed and it is shaking.' The earthquake was felt in Jhargram as well."
TMC MLA Shyamal Mondal added, "The MLA of Falta, Swapan Naskar, and I were chatting while standing on the Assembly stairs. Suddenly, I felt dizzy. Then I saw all the assembly staff rushing out from inside. The earthquake was felt across my constituency, Baruipur, Sonarpur, Canning, and the entire South 24 Parganas district."
While no major structural damage was immediately reported, the 1:22 PM quake left a trail of anxious phone calls and heightened alertness throughout Kolkata's neighborhoods, underscoring the city's vulnerability to seismic events.
