A moderate earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale struck Himachal Pradesh late on Friday night, sending tremors across several districts and causing panic among residents. The earthquake occurred at around 10:04 pm near the Kangra-Chamba border, approximately 40 kilometres from Dharamsala.

According to officials, the quake originated at a shallow depth of about 5 kilometres, which contributed to the tremors being felt strongly in parts of Kangra, Chamba and nearby areas. The epicentre was reported near Dhar Godoi in Kangra district.

Residents in Dharamsala and surrounding regions rushed out of their homes after feeling the ground shake. While the tremors created concern among locals, authorities said there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage to property.

Tremors felt beyond Himachal Pradesh

The earthquake’s impact was not limited to Himachal Pradesh. Reports indicated that mild tremors were also experienced in Chandigarh as well as parts of Punjab and Haryana, prompting many people to briefly leave their homes as a precaution.

Officials continued to assess the situation through the night, while residents remained alert for possible aftershocks. No major disruptions were reported in the affected areas.

Region falls under high seismic risk zone

Kangra and Chamba districts are located in Seismic Zone V, one of the country’s highest earthquake-risk zones. The Himalayan region is known for frequent seismic activity due to ongoing tectonic movements, making earthquake preparedness a key concern for local authorities.

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is set to hold a crucial meeting with party legislators at her residence as the ruling party grapples with one of its most serious internal challenges in recent years.

The meeting comes at a time when the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is facing visible dissent from a section of its MLAs, raising concerns over party unity and legislative strength. The gathering is being closely watched as a test of whether Mamata Banerjee can bring disgruntled lawmakers back into the party fold.

Attendance under scrutiny after recent setbacks

The latest meeting assumes significance after an earlier gathering at Mamata Banerjee’s residence reportedly witnessed poor attendance, forcing the session to be called off. Reports suggested that only a fraction of the party’s legislators attended, triggering speculation about growing unrest within the organisation.

The internal turbulence has intensified following claims by a rebel faction that it enjoys the support of a substantial number of TMC legislators. The developments have sparked concerns about the party’s cohesion in the state assembly.

Leadership faces challenge from rebel camp

The rebellion has largely been linked to dissatisfaction among some legislators regarding the party’s leadership structure and decision-making process. While several reports indicate that the anger of dissenting MLAs is directed more towards sections of the party leadership than Mamata Banerjee herself, the crisis has nevertheless emerged as a major challenge for the TMC chief.

Recent developments, including the recognition of a rebel-backed opposition leader in the West Bengal Assembly and subsequent legal and political battles, have further highlighted divisions within the party.

Meeting expected to focus on party unity

Party leaders are expected to use the meeting to assess support within the legislative wing, discuss the ongoing political situation and explore ways to restore unity ahead of future political battles in the state.

Political observers believe the outcome of the meeting could provide a clearer picture of whether the Trinamool Congress can contain the rebellion or whether the internal crisis is likely to deepen further in the coming weeks.

India’s T20I setup could be heading towards a significant transition, with reports suggesting that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering a change in leadership ahead of upcoming international assignments. Shreyas Iyer has reportedly emerged as the leading candidate to take over the captaincy, while current skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s position in the squad is under scrutiny.

The reported move comes despite India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign under Suryakumar’s leadership. However, selectors are believed to be evaluating long-term plans and future leadership options as the team begins preparations for upcoming global events.

Shreyas Iyer emerges as leading candidate

According to reports, the selectors have identified Shreyas Iyer as a strong contender to guide India’s T20 side in the next phase. The middle-order batter has impressed with his leadership credentials in domestic and franchise cricket and is viewed as a dependable option for the future.

The proposed change is reportedly aimed at building a leadership group capable of carrying India through the next T20 World Cup cycle and other major tournaments.

Tilak Varma in line for bigger role

Young batter Tilak Varma is also understood to be part of the board’s long-term plans. Reports indicate that he is being considered for a senior leadership position, including the possibility of serving as vice-captain in the shortest format.

The management is believed to be keen on nurturing a younger core that can provide continuity over the coming years.

Uncertainty over Suryakumar Yadav’s place

While no official announcement has been made, reports suggest that Suryakumar Yadav could face a difficult period in the national setup. His recent batting performances have reportedly become a point of discussion among selectors despite his contributions as captain.

The uncertainty has intensified following recent squad-related developments, sparking speculation about his future role in India’s T20 plans.

Official confirmation awaited

As of now, the BCCI has not issued any formal statement regarding a captaincy change or squad decisions. The final call is expected to become clear when India’s squad for upcoming T20 assignments is announced.

Until then, the reports remain part of ongoing speculation surrounding India’s evolving T20 strategy and leadership structure.