Sylhet Earthquake: 3.4 magnitude tremor felt at midnight
A mild earthquake of 3.4 magnitude struck Sylhet division in the early hours of Thursday (27 November) at 3:30:49 am. The epicentre was in Chhatak, Sunamganj.
No damage or casualties have been reported so far.
Remarkably, within just one minute, two separate tremors were recorded in Bangladesh:
- 3:29 am → 4.0 magnitude in the Bay of Bengal (felt lightly in Teknaf)
- 3:30 am → 3.4 magnitude in Chhatak, Sunamganj (felt across Sylhet)
This marks the latest in a series of frequent tremors that have rattled the region since the devastating 5.7 magnitude quake on 21 November, which originated in Narsingdi and claimed at least 10 lives nationwide.
Growing concern among experts and residents
Prof Dr Mushtaq Ahmed, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), warned that Sylhet is not only vulnerable to distant quakes but also to local active fault lines that pose severe risk.
He highlighted several high-risk faults beneath the Surma Basin:
- Dauki Fault
- Kopili Fault
- Sylhet Fault
- Surma Fault
- Atgram-Bhairab Lineament
- Chittagong-Tripura Fold Belt
“The geological structure of Sylhet is extremely fragile. Even a moderate quake from these local faults can cause catastrophic damage,” Prof Mushtaq told reporters.
Residents across Sylhet city and surrounding areas have expressed rising anxiety over the near-daily tremors, with many saying they now sleep lightly, ready to rush outside at any moment.
