Sri Vijaya Puram: A powerful earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale struck the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the early hours of Tuesday, July 29, sparking concern among residents across the archipelago. According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the tremor occurred at 00:11:50 IST with an epicentre in the Bay of Bengal, located at latitude 6.82°N and longitude 93.37°E. The quake originated at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres.
The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), also tracking seismic activity in the region, confirmed the magnitude and depth of the earthquake. Fortunately, no immediate reports of injuries, fatalities or property damage have emerged from any part of the islands, according to officials and monitoring agencies.
The earthquake was reportedly felt across several parts of the Andaman Islands, including Sri Vijaya Puram and nearby areas, though there was no tsunami alert issued. The NCS urged residents to stay calm and remain updated through official sources, including the BhooKamp mobile application, which provides real-time earthquake data.
This latest tremor marks the strongest earthquake recorded in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in recent months. The region, known for its high seismic activity due to its location along the boundary of the Indian and Burmese tectonic plates, has experienced 15 earthquakes in the past year alone. Of these, two occurred within the past 30 days, including a 4.9 magnitude quake near Sri Vijaya Puram earlier this month.
Data from EarthquakeTrack indicates multiple moderate quakes in the region over the past year, ranging between 4.3 and 5.5 in magnitude. In April, Sri Vijaya Puram experienced a 5.1 magnitude tremor at a depth of 63 kilometres, and just six months ago, a 5.0 magnitude earthquake struck at a shallow 10 km depth.
Despite their moderate to strong intensity, none of these quakes have led to serious consequences so far. However, seismologists warn that the Andaman Sea remains a high-risk seismic zone with potential for both high-magnitude earthquakes and tsunamis, given its history and geological setting.
The NCS and disaster management authorities continue to monitor the situation closely. Residents have been advised to remain alert but avoid panic, especially since aftershocks are possible in the days following a significant seismic event.
While Tuesday’s quake resulted in no visible damage, experts maintain that the islands must remain vigilant and proactive in disaster readiness efforts.
For the latest seismic updates, residents can visit earthquaketrack.com or download the BhooKamp app recommended by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
