March 5, 2025: A 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck near Manipur’s capital Imphal at 9:14 AM today, sending tremors through Assam, Nagaland, and parts of Myanmar. The earthquake, centered 29 km from Chongdan at a depth of 10 km, revived memories of the destructive 2016 Manipur seismic event but caused no immediate casualties, officials confirmed.
Ground Shakes: Northeast Responds
Residents across Upper Assam’s Dibrugarh, Jorhat, and Sivasagar districts reported sustained shaking lasting 10–15 seconds, with many rushing outdoors. The tremor’s intensity peaked at VI–VII on the Modified Mercalli scale, strong enough to crack older buildings but leaving modern infrastructure intact.
Why the Indo-Myanmar Border Quakes
The seismic episode originated in the Indo-Myanmar Fold Belt, where the Indian Plate grinds northeastward under Eurasia at 45 mm/year. “Shallow depth amplified ground motion, but limited damage suggests improved construction norms post-2016.”
Key infrastructure proved resilient:
Power Grids: Partial outages in Imphal Valley restored within 4 hours
Transport: NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) briefly closed for landslide checks
Communications: Mobile networks disrupted but stabilized swiftly
Assam’s Preparedness Tested
While Manipur’s State Disaster Response Force deployed 12 teams, Assam focused on preventive measures. The Brahmaputra Valley’s alluvial soil, prone to liquefaction, showed no major shifts—a relief for riverside communities.
Myanmar Collaboration & Tech Wins
Real-time data sharing between India’s National Seismological Network and Myanmar’s DMH allowed swift cross-border impact assessments. Over 50 villages in Myanmar’s Chin State felt moderate shaking, but no damages were reported. India’s ₹3.5 crore Mobile Seismic Network app delivered alerts to 1.2 lakh users in 8 seconds—a system honed since the 2023 Delhi quake.
What’s Next?
Aftershocks: 15% chance of M5+ tremors in 7 days
Landslide Vigil: Manipur’s hill districts under 24-hour drone surveillance
Insurance Push: Only 12% of NE homes quake-insured; govt. plans awareness drives
Today’s tremor underscores Northeast India’s seismic reality but also highlights hardening defenses. As tectonic tensions simmer beneath the Himalayas, the region’s blend of tech readiness and community drills offers a blueprint for earthquake-prone zones nationwide.