Guwahati/Morigaon

At least two people were injured after an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale struck central Assam in the early hours of Monday, officials said.

The tremor occurred at around 4:17 am at a depth of approximately 50 kilometres, with its epicentre located in Morigaon district. Minor damage, including visible cracks, was reported in a few houses in Morigaon and adjoining areas of Nagaon district.

The earthquake was felt across large parts of the Northeast, including Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, prompting residents to rush out of their homes in panic. Tremors were also reported from northern West Bengal, parts of Bhutan, Bangladesh and neighbouring regions of China, according to officials.

During the rush to safety, two residents of Na Dalbori village under the Mikirbheta circle in Morigaon district sustained injuries. An 80-year-old woman, identified as Joymoti Dewri, suffered a head injury while exiting her house. She was immediately shifted to Morigaon Civil Hospital, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said in a report.

Another resident of the same village, Manoj Kumar, also sustained injuries and was admitted to the hospital. District Public Relations Officer S Buragohain said Kumar is out of danger and undergoing treatment.

Officials said no major damage to property or infrastructure has been reported so far. The District Disaster Management Authority is continuing its assessment of the affected areas.

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The Northeast region falls under a high seismic zone, and earthquakes are a frequent occurrence due to the region’s geological vulnerability.