Earthquake of magnitude 2.8 strikes Bhutan
Thimphu, January 25
An earthquake of magnitude 2.8 struck Bhutan on Sunday, a statement by the National Center for Seismology said.
The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10km, making it susceptible to aftershocks.
In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 2.8, On: 25/01/2026 11:11:35 IST, Lat: 27.14 N, Long: 89.02 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Bhutan."
Earlier on January 7, an earthquake of magnitude 3.8 struck the region at a depth of 10km.
In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 3.8, On: 07/01/2026 03:17:16 IST, Lat: 27.27 N, Long: 91.70 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Bhutan."
Shallow earthquakes are generally more dangerous than deep earthquakes. This is because the seismic waves from shallow earthquakes have a shorter distance to travel to the surface, resulting in stronger ground shaking and potentially more damage to structures and greater casualties.
Bhutan, like the rest of the world, has not been spared by the fury of natural hazards and is susceptible to many kinds of them. Geo-physically, Bhutan is located in the young Himalayan Mountains and considered to be one of the most seismically active zones in the world, the Asian Disaster Reduction Centre stated.
As per the Indian Seismic Code, Bhutan falls within seismic zones IV and V, which are the most active zones. Considering the location and as proven by the past earthquakes, earthquakes are one of the most imminent hazards in Bhutan. As a result of global warming, Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) poses another risk to the people of Bhutan. Due to climate change, the seasonal strong winds have become one of the hazards in Bhutan, causing significant damage to the rural homes in Bhutan.
The 2011 and 2013 windstorms caused huge damage to rural homes in Bhutan. Other hazards, such as landslides, flash floods, and forest/structural fires, also sweep across the country, causing significant losses to properties and lives, the Asian Disaster Reduction Centre stated.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The depth being only 10km is concerning, even for a smaller quake. Hope our friends in Bhutan are safe. The part about GLOFs due to climate change is very worrying for the entire region.
NCS is doing a good job with timely updates. It's important for people in Sikkim, Arunachal, and other bordering states to be aware. We share the same geological risks.
While the article is informative, it feels a bit repetitive with the two almost identical NCS posts quoted. Could have summarized the data points more concisely. The core information about seismic zones and secondary hazards is crucial though.
This is a wake-up call. Our building codes in Indian cities near fault lines need strict enforcement. Jaipur had that tremor recently too. Mother Nature doesn't care for borders.
The mention of the 2011/2013 windstorms putting rural homes at risk is so true. Similar issues in our Himalayan villages. Infrastructure resilience should be a top priority for regional cooperation. Stay safe, everyone.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.