Earthquake of Magnitude 6.5 Jolts Bay of Bengal; No Tsunami Threat Reported
An earthquake of magnitude 6.5 struck the Bay of Bengal in the early hours of Tuesday, with tremors recorded at 00:11:50 IST. The seismic event had its epicentre near the Nicobar Islands, approximately 538 km south of Port Blair. It occurred at a shallow depth of 10 km, which typically allows tremors to be felt over a wider area.
The coordinates of the epicentre were noted at 6.82°N latitude and 93.37°E longitude. While various monitoring agencies reported slight variations in magnitude—ranging from 6.2 to 6.5—the overall assessment confirms the quake's moderate intensity.
Importantly, there is no tsunami threat associated with this event. Early model assessments confirmed that the earthquake lacked the characteristics required to trigger oceanic disturbances capable of generating tsunami waves. No aftershocks or damage reports have been received as of now.
Meanwhile, in a proactive measure towards disaster preparedness, the National Capital Region is gearing up for a large-scale mock drill named Suraksha Chakra, scheduled for August 1. The exercise will simulate coordinated responses to seismic and industrial hazard scenarios and involve multiple emergency response units.
Skymet continues to monitor seismic activity in the Indian Ocean region and advises the public to stay informed but not alarmed.
