Bay of Bengal 4.5 magnitude earthquake jolts Visakhapatnam on 12 July
Synopsis
A 4.5 magnitude earthquake off the Kakinada coast in the Bay of Bengal rattled Visakhapatnam and multiple Andhra Pradesh districts at 5:05 am on 12 July. Experts say the shallow, 10 km-deep quake poses no lasting threat — but it is the latest in a pattern of low-intensity seismic events along a coastline that authorities continue to watch.
Key Takeaways
A 4.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Bay of Bengal at 5:05 am IST on 12 July , with its epicentre 225 km off the Kakinada coast at a depth of 10 km .
Tremors were felt across Visakhapatnam neighbourhoods including Gajuwaka, MVP Colony, and Sagar Nagar, as well as in Anakapalli , Vizianagaram , Kakinada , and Konaseema districts.
No casualties, property damage, or other losses have been reported.
Both INCOIS and the National Center for Seismology confirmed the event; experts described it as a shallow structural adjustment in a tectonically stable region.
The area has experienced similar low-intensity quakes before, including a 3.7 magnitude tremor in Alluri Sitharamaraju district on 4 November 2015 .
A 4.5 magnitude earthquake in the Bay of Bengal sent mild tremors rippling through Visakhapatnam and several adjoining districts of Andhra Pradesh in the early hours of Sunday, 12 July, around 5:05 am IST. No casualties, property damage, or any other loss have been reported, according to officials.
Where the Tremors Were Felt
Residents across multiple neighbourhoods in the coastal city were jolted awake, including Gajuwaka, Mangalapalem, Sagar Nagar, Pedda Waltair, Arilova, MVP Colony, and Appughar. Tremors were also reported in parts of Anakapalli, Vizianagaram, Kakinada, and Konaseema districts.
What the Agencies Said
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) confirmed that a mild earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale struck the Bay of Bengal in the early morning hours. The National Center for Seismology placed the epicentre approximately 225 km off the Kakinada coast, at latitude 16.805°N and longitude 84.381°E, at a depth of 10 km — classifying it as a shallow earthquake.
Expert Assessment
Seismologists described the event as a shallow structural adjustment and advised the public against undue alarm. Experts noted that the region is generally considered tectonically stable, and the mild intensity of the tremors was consistent with that assessment. No tsunami warning was issued.
Historical Context
This is not the first time Visakhapatnam and the north coastal Andhra belt have experienced seismic activity. In November last year, both Visakhapatnam and Alluri Sitharamaraju districts were shaken by a mild earthquake. Prior to that, a 3.7 magnitude quake struck Alluri Sitharamaraju district on 4 November 2015, with its epicentre at G. Madugula at a depth of 10 km, approximately 110 km from Visakhapatnam. That event triggered panic among residents but caused no casualties or structural damage.
Sunday's tremors follow a pattern of periodic, low-intensity seismic activity along Andhra Pradesh's coastline, reinforcing the need for continued monitoring even in areas classified as tectonically stable.
Point of View
But Sunday's tremor is a reminder that Andhra Pradesh's coastline — long described as tectonically stable — is not seismically inert. Shallow earthquakes at 10 km depth transmit surface shaking more efficiently than deeper events, and the fact that tremors were felt across at least five districts underscores the geographic reach of even a moderate offshore quake. What is missing from official communication is a clear public protocol: residents in Gajuwaka and MVP Colony woke to shaking with no immediate guidance. As coastal urbanisation in Visakhapatnam accelerates, building-code compliance and community-level earthquake preparedness deserve more attention than they currently receive.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the earthquake felt in Visakhapatnam on 12 July?
A 4.5 magnitude earthquake originating in the Bay of Bengal, approximately 225 km off the Kakinada coast, caused the tremors. The National Center for Seismology recorded the event at 5:05 am IST at a depth of 10 km.
Was anyone injured in the Visakhapatnam earthquake?
No. Authorities confirmed that no casualties, property damage, or any other losses were reported following the tremors on 12 July.
Which areas of Visakhapatnam felt the tremors?
Tremors were reported in Gajuwaka, Mangalapalem, Sagar Nagar, Pedda Waltair, Arilova, MVP Colony, and Appughar, among other localities. Shaking was also felt in Anakapalli, Vizianagaram, Kakinada, and Konaseema districts.
Is the Bay of Bengal region prone to earthquakes?
The north coastal Andhra Pradesh region is generally considered tectonically stable, but it has experienced periodic low-intensity seismic events. A 3.7 magnitude quake struck Alluri Sitharamaraju district on 4 November 2015, and tremors were recorded in Visakhapatnam and Alluri Sitharamaraju in November last year as well.
Should residents of Visakhapatnam be worried after Sunday's earthquake?
Experts say there is no cause for alarm. They described Sunday's event as a mild tremor resulting from structural adjustments in a tectonically stable zone, and no tsunami warning was issued by INCOIS.
