Saturday, March 29, 2025
On the morning of May 18, tremors were felt across parts of India and Southeast Asia, as moderate earthquakes struck multiple regions including Arunachal Pradesh and Indonesia’s northern Sumatra. Thankfully, no loss of life or significant damage has been reported.
According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), an earthquake measuring 3.8 on the Richter scale struck Arunachal Pradesh around 5:06 AM on Saturday. The epicenter was located in Dibang Valley at a depth of 10 kilometers. Though mild, the tremor created concern among local residents. This was the second consecutive day that an earthquake was recorded in the region.
On May 17, just a day earlier, Arunachal Pradesh experienced another quake measuring 3.4 in magnitude. That quake also originated in Dibang Valley, but at a deeper depth of 12 kilometers. Like Saturday’s quake, it caused no reported injuries or property damage.
In Indonesia, a 4.6-magnitude earthquake hit North Sumatra at approximately 2:50 AM (local time) on May 18. The earthquake originated 58 kilometers below the surface, according to NCS. While there have been no reports of casualties, local police and administrative units are closely monitoring the situation.
Further seismic activity was reported in Myanmar and Peru on May 17. Myanmar experienced a 5.2-magnitude quake, while Peru saw an even stronger one measuring 6.0. Both earthquakes caused widespread fear but no serious damage. In Myanmar, this is especially alarming as a more powerful 7.0+ magnitude quake had struck the region earlier in March.
Seismologists are carefully observing these developments. While no emergency alerts have been issued, the consecutive tremors across regions have sparked discussions about increasing seismic sensitivity in the Indian subcontinent and Pacific Ring of Fire.
Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay alert, review emergency preparedness plans, and follow updates from local disaster management authorities.
