On February 27, 2026, at approximately 1:22 PM, a notable earthquake of magnitude 5.5 was recorded near the India-Bangladesh border, with its epicenter located about 26 km southeast of Taki in West Bengal. The tremors were strongly felt in Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, and nearby regions, prompting residents to rush out of their homes, offices, and schools. Lesser depths of 9.8 km contributed to the intensity of the perceived tremors, although there were no immediate reports of significant damage or casualties, with people being more startled than harmed by the event.

Kolkata has historically experienced few major earthquakes as it lies within the seismic zone III, denoting a moderate earthquake risk. Most tremors that are felt in the city typically originate from nearby areas, and this recent incident illustrates the importance of understanding the local seismic activity. In context, the National Center for Seismology (NCS) and the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) confirmed the quake's magnitude, while the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported it slightly lower at 5.3.

The implications of such seismic events underline ongoing discussions about the stability of tectonic plates, particularly in a region with a history of geological activity. Factors like the breaking away of the Indian tectonic plate may increase earthquake risks in places like the Himalaya-Tibet area, raising concerns over future seismicity in Kolkata and surrounding states. The occurrence of this quake reinforces the need for preparedness strategies in urban centers that may not frequently experience such events but still face the potential risk of seismic disruption.