A mild earthquake in Bangladesh sent tremors through Kolkata on Friday morning, briefly breaking the city’s weekday rhythm and pushing people out of homes, offices, schools and markets. The 5.5-magnitude quake rattled buildings across several neighbourhoods, catching many off guard.
From professionals starting their workday to students settling into their first classes, the sudden shake created a wave of panic. Social media lit up instantly as people posted updates while standing outside in open areas.
Arunav Kol, a resident of Urbana on EM Bypass, said his family was having breakfast when the chairs began to shake. “At first, I thought I was dizzy. My wife immediately said it felt like an earthquake. We stepped out to be safe,” he said.
In high-rise complexes, families rushed to alert neighbours and domestic staff. Roshni Gupta, who lives in a residential tower off VIP Road, said she didn’t want to take any risks. “The tremor lasted only a few seconds, but I picked up my son and went downstairs immediately.”
Schools across the city paused their morning routines as teachers guided students to remain calm. While most institutions avoided full evacuation, many used the moment to remind students of safety protocols.
South City International School’s acting principal, Rupika Nath, said the incident reinforced the importance of regular drills. “Our students followed the ‘Drop, Cover, Hold’ drill just the way they practise it. The teachers responded quickly and kept everyone composed.”
At South Point School, the administration issued alerts after the tremors and asked students to stay steady and follow instructions if any aftershocks were felt.
In Kolkata’s commercial zones, the impact was immediate. Offices had barely opened when employees felt their chairs shaking. At Stephen House, workers rushed out as soon as someone shouted that it was an earthquake.
“The chair started to sway, then the floor felt like it moved. We didn’t wait. Everyone took the stairs down,” said Amit Tiwary, a stockbroker.
Similar scenes played out at corporate hubs in Sector V and New Town, where thousands of IT employees gathered on the streets after momentary evacuations. Shops at E Mall and other commercial buildings reported racks and shutters trembling lightly before people stepped outside.
Kalyan Kar, vice-president of the Sector V stakeholders’ association, said several buildings were briefly cleared. “Most people returned to work within 15 to 20 minutes. There was no major disturbance.”
While Kolkata escaped with only a scare, the citywide response showed how quickly people reacted to ensure their safety.
