View source for 2011 Sikkim earthquake

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2013}}
{{Infobox earthquake
| title = 2011 Sikkim earthquake
| image = 
| image alt = 
| imagecaption = 
| map = 
| map alt = 
| image name = 
| pushpin_map = India
| pushpin_relief = 1
| anss-url = usp000j88b
| isc-event = 17238846
| local-date = 18 September 2011
| local-time = 18:10 [[India Standard Time|IST]]<br/>18:25 [[Nepal Time|NPT]]<br/>18:40 [[Bhutan Time|BTT]]<br/>20:40 [[China Standard Time|CST]]
| timestamp = 2011-09-18 12:40:51
| duration = 30–40 seconds
| magnitude = {{M|w|6.9}}
| depth = 19.7&nbsp;km (12.1 mi)
| coordinates = {{Coord|27.723|N|88.064|E|type:event_scale:50000000|display=inline,title}}
| location = [[Taplejung]], Nepal
| type = [[Intraplate earthquake|Intraplate]]<ref name="USGSsummary">{{cite web|url=https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0005wg6.php |title=Magnitude 6.9 – Sikkim, India: Tectonic Summary |publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]] |date=18 September 2011 |access-date=18 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921163147/http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0005wg6.php |archive-date=21 September 2011 }}</ref>
| countries affected = India <br/> Bangladesh <br/> Nepal <br/> Bhutan <br/> China
| damage = 
| intensity = {{MMI|VII}}<ref name=Pager>{{cite web|url=https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/pager/events/us/c0005wg6/index.html#cities |title=Pager – M 6.9 – Sikkim, India |publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]] |date=18 September 2011 |access-date=18 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923163029/http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/pager/events/us/c0005wg6/index.html |archive-date=23 September 2011 }}</ref>
| PGA = <!-- NN''[[Peak ground acceleration|g]]'' -->
| tsunami = 
| landslide = Yes <!-- http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/many-injured-in-north-bengal-power-supply-disrupted-134563 -->
| aftershocks = Yes
| casualties = At least 111 killed
}}

The '''2011 Sikkim earthquake''' (also known as the '''2011 Himalayan earthquake''') occurred with a [[Moment magnitude scale|moment magnitude]] of 6.9 and was centered within the [[Kanchenjunga Conservation Area]], near the border of Nepal and the Indian state of [[Sikkim]], at {{tooltip|18:10 IST|12:40 UTC}} on Sunday, 18 September.<ref name=data>{{cite news|title=Magnitude 6.9 – SIKKIM, INDIA |url=https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0005wg6.php |publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]] |date=18 September 2011 |access-date=18 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921163147/http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0005wg6.php |archive-date=21 September 2011 }}</ref> The earthquake was felt across northeastern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and southern [[Tibet]].

At least 111 people were killed in the earthquake.<ref>[http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_himalayan-quake-toll-climbs-to-116-40-stranded-foreign-tourists-rescued_1589946 Himalayan quake toll climbs to 116, 40 stranded foreign tourists rescued], [[Daily News and Analysis|DNA]], 21 September 2011</ref> Most of the deaths occurred in Sikkim, with reports of fatalities in and near [[Singtam]] in the [[East Sikkim]] district.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2465147.ece?homepage=true Earthquake claims two lives in Sikkim], [[The Hindu]], 18 September 2011</ref> Several buildings collapsed in Gangtok.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-quake-india-idUSTRE78H19D20110918 |title=Magnitude 6.8 quake in India, several dead |publisher=Reuters |date= 18 September 2011|access-date=18 September 2011 |first=Mayank |last=Bhardwaj}}</ref> Eleven are reported dead in Nepal, including three killed when a wall collapsed in the British Embassy in [[Kathmandu]].<ref>[http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report_earthquake-kills-5-in-nepal_1588802 Earthquake kills 5 in Nepal], [[Daily News and Analysis|DNA]], 18 September 2011</ref> Elsewhere, structural damage occurred in Bangladesh, Bhutan, and across Tibet; another seven fatalities were confirmed in the latter region.

The quake came just a few days after an earthquake of 4.2 magnitude hit [[Haryana|Haryana's]] [[Sonipat district]], sending tremors in [[New Delhi]].<ref name="Earthquake-report.com">{{cite web|title=Very strong earthquake in SIKKIM, India|url=http://earthquake-report.com/2011/09/18/very-strong-earthquake-in-sikkim-india/|work=18 September 2011|publisher=Earthquake-report.com|date=18 September 2011}}</ref> The earthquake was the fourth significant earthquake in India of September 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sikkim quake is India's fourth this september|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/sikkim-quake-is-indias-fourth-this-september-134548?pfrom=home-bigstory|access-date=18 September 2011|newspaper=[[NDTV]]|date=18 September 2011}}</ref>

Exactly a year after the original earthquake at 5:55 pm on 18 September 2012, another earthquake of magnitude 4.1 struck Sikkim, sparking panic among the people observing the anniversary of the original quake.<ref name="USGSsummary"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/generalnews/news/moderate-quake-jolts-sikkim-no-reportcasualty-damage/58035/|title=Moderate quake jolts Sikkim, no report of casualty, damage|author=Press Trust of India|date=18 September 2012|work=business-standard.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/tremor-felt-in-sikkim-exactly-a-year-after-devastating-quake-269026|title=Tremor felt in Sikkim, exactly a year after devastating quake|author=Abhinav Bhatt|date=18 September 2012|work=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portal.gsi.gov.in/gsiImages/information/sikkim_earthquake_120918_report1.pdf|title=Geological Survey of India|date=18 September 2012|access-date=12 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215403/http://www.portal.gsi.gov.in/gsiImages/information/sikkim_earthquake_120918_report1.pdf|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Earthquake==
The [[Moment magnitude scale|magnitude]] 6.9 (M<sub>w</sub>) earthquake occurred inland at 18:10 IST on 18 September 2011, about 68&nbsp;km (42&nbsp;mi) northwest of [[Gangtok]], [[Sikkim]] at a shallow [[Hypocenter|depth]] of 19.7&nbsp;km (12.2&nbsp;mi).<ref name=data /> At its location, the continental [[Indian Plate|Indian]] and [[Eurasian Plate]]s converge with one another along a [[Convergent boundary|tectonic boundary]] beneath the mountainous region of northeast India near the Nepalese border. Although earthquakes in this region are usually [[Interplate earthquake|interplate]] in nature, preliminary data suggests the Sikkim earthquake was triggered by shallow [[strike-slip fault]]ing from an [[Intraplate earthquake|intraplate]] source within the over-riding Eurasian Plate. Initial analyses also indicate a complex origin, with the perceived tremor likely being a result of two separate events occurring close together in time at similar focal depths.

=== Intensity ===

[[File:2011-Sikkim earthquake Shakemap.jpg|thumb|[[United States Geological Survey|USGS]] ShakeMap for the event]]

Located at a shallow depth beneath the surface, the earthquake caused strong shaking in many areas adjacent to its [[epicenter]] reportedly lasting 30 – 40 seconds.<ref name="times">{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/eight-killed-100-injured-as-strong-quake-jolts-sikkim-nepal-border-region/articleshow/10031582.cms|title=Eight killed, 100 injured as strong quake jolts Sikkim-Nepal border region|date=18 September 2011|access-date=18 September 2011|work=The Economic Times}}</ref>{{Better source|date=September 2011}} The strongest shaking occurred to the west in [[Gangtok]] and further south in [[Siliguri]], although similar ground motions registering at MM VI (strong) on the [[Modified Mercalli intensity scale|Mercalli scale]] were recorded in many smaller towns such as [[Mangan, India|Mangan]] across elevated regions. Lighter tremors (MM IV – III) spread southward through populous regions, with these motions reported in the [[Patna]] capital of [[Bihar]] and as far southwest as [[Bihar Sharif]].<ref name="Pager" /> In all, the earthquake was felt in Nepal, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh and China. Tremors were felt in [[Assam]], [[Meghalaya]], [[Tripura]], parts of [[West Bengal]], [[Bihar]], [[Jharkhand]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Chandigarh]] and [[Delhi]] states of India.<ref name="toi1">{{cite news|title=Quake toll mounts to 6 as quake jolts east, north India|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-18/india/30171794_1_pawan-kumar-chamling-sikkim-chief-minister-gangtok|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106142942/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-18/india/30171794_1_pawan-kumar-chamling-sikkim-chief-minister-gangtok|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 November 2012|access-date=18 September 2011|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=18 September 2011}}</ref> In Tibet, the earthquake was felt in [[Shigatse]] and [[Lhasa]].<ref name="ifeng1" />

===Aftershocks===
Sikkim experienced three [[aftershocks]] since the earthquake, occurring at magnitudes of 5.7, 5.1, and 4.6 (M<sub>w</sub>) within 30 minutes of the initial earthquake.<ref name=Aftershocks>{{cite news|title=2 killed in Sikkim, buildings hit as quake jolts Northeast|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_2-killed-in-sikkim-buildings-hit-as-quake-jolts-northeast_1588715|access-date=18 September 2011|newspaper=[[Daily News and Analysis|DNA India]]|date=18 September 2011}}</ref> Kathmandu experienced two aftershocks that both had a magnitude of 4.8 M<sub>w</sub>. The aftershocks had no serious impact in the region. At least 20 aftershocks back-to-back throughout the night created panic in the [[Gangtok]].<ref name="toll"/> On 19 September, tremors shook some parts of [[Maharashtra]] measuring 3.9 ({{M|w|link=y}})<ref name="Quake rattles Maharashtra">{{cite news|title=Quake rattles Maharashtra |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/nation/west/quake-rattles-maharashtra-839 |access-date=19 September 2011 |newspaper=[[The Deccan Chronicle]] |date=19 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919145903/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/nation/west/quake-rattles-maharashtra-839 |archive-date=19 September 2011 }}</ref> at around 06:30 IST including [[Latur]], [[Osmanabad]] and [[Solapur]] districts, all of which had already suffered the [[1993 Latur earthquake|1993 earthquake]].<ref name="Earthquake jolts several parts of Maharashtra today">{{cite news|title=Earthquake jolts several parts of Maharashtra today|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Earthquake-jolts-several-parts-of-Maharashtra-today/articleshow/10036836.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=19 September 2011|date=19 September 2011}}</ref> However, no loss of life or property was reported.<ref>{{cite web|title=Quake jolts several parts of Maharashtra|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/quake-jolts-several-parts-of-maharashtra/185382-3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925003417/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/quake-jolts-several-parts-of-maharashtra/185382-3.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 September 2011|publisher=[[CNN-IBN]]|access-date=19 September 2011}}</ref>

==Impact==
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; clear:right; margin-left:0.5em"
|+ Casualties by country
|-
! Country !! Deaths
|-
| '''{{Flag|India}}''' || 97
|-
| {{Flag|China}} || 7
|-
| {{Flag|Nepal}} || 6
|-
| {{BHU}} || 1
|-
| {{Flag|Bangladesh}} || 0 
|-
| '''Total''' || '''111'''
|}

[[File:Demolished Building in Gangtok After Earthquake in 2011.jpg|thumb|Demolished Building in Gangtok, Sikkim]]
The earthquake struck near a mountainous, albeit very populous region near the Sikkim–Nepal border; most of the structures were reported to be highly vulnerable to earthquake shaking.<ref name=Pager /> Upon impact, tens of thousands of residents evacuated their homes, and many areas suffered from communication and power outages. The strong shaking caused significant building collapse and mudslides;<ref name=times /> at least 111 people were confirmed killed by the effects of the earthquake, and hundreds of others sustained injuries. As the earthquake occurred in the monsoon season, heavy rain and landslides rendered rescue work more difficult.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/sikkim-the-morning-after-offers-a-grim-picture-134694 |title=Sikkim the morning after offers a grim picture |publisher=Ndtv.com |access-date=19 September 2011}}</ref>

=== India ===
Northern India suffered the most from the earthquake, with at least 75 people killed.<ref name="toll">{{cite news|title=Sikkim earthquake toll rises to 50|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-19/india/30175270_1_sikkim-pawan-chamling-singtam|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106142949/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-19/india/30175270_1_sikkim-pawan-chamling-singtam|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 November 2012|access-date=19 September 2011|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=19 September 2011}}</ref> 60 people were reportedly killed in Sikkim alone.<ref name="35 tourists airlifted, toll crosses 90">{{cite news|title=35 tourists airlifted, toll crosses 90|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-21/india/30185085_1_death-toll-north-sikkim-army-camp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106142955/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-21/india/30185085_1_death-toll-north-sikkim-army-camp|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 November 2012|access-date=21 September 2011|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=21 September 2011}}</ref> At least 7 people have died in [[Bihar]], while 6 deaths have been reported from [[West Bengal]].<ref name="Sikkim earthquake toll climbs to 66, rescue work hampered by landslides">{{cite news|title=Sikkim earthquake toll climbs to 66, rescue work hampered by landslides|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-19/india/30175140_1_sikkim-singtam-gangtok|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921163840/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-19/india/30175140_1_sikkim-singtam-gangtok|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 September 2011|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=19 September 2011|date=19 September 2011}}</ref> Power supply was disrupted in areas near Sikkim, including [[Kalimpong]] of [[Darjeeling district]], and adjoining [[Jalpaiguri]] and [[Cooch Behar]] districts; the outages were in part blamed on an affected [[Electrical substation|electric substation]] in [[Siliguri]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Many injured in northbengal, power supply disrupted|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/earthquake-in-sikkim-many-injured-in-north-bengal-power-supply-disrupted-134563?pfrom=home-bigstory|access-date=18 September 2011|newspaper=[[NDTV]]|date=18 September 2011}}</ref> Water supply was interrupted in Sikkim. [[National Highway 31 (India)|National Highway 31]], the major highway linking Sikkim to the rest of India, was damaged.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> Ten of the dead were workers at a hydroelectric project on the [[Teesta River]].<ref>[http://www.inewsone.com/2011/09/19/10-bodies-recovered-from-teesta-project-itbp-with-images/77554 10 bodies recovered from Teesta project: ITBP] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206235054/http://www.inewsone.com/2011/09/19/10-bodies-recovered-from-teesta-project-itbp-with-images/77554 |date=6 February 2012 }}, News One / IANS, 19 September 2011</ref>

In India, [[property damage]] is estimated to be around {{INRConvert|1|t}} with the actual report yet to come.<ref name=damage>{{cite news|title=Nine villages still inaccessible, damage estimated at Rs 1 lakh crore|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-21/india/30184003_1_north-sikkim-pawan-kumar-chamling-special-package|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106143007/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-21/india/30184003_1_north-sikkim-pawan-kumar-chamling-special-package|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 November 2012|access-date=21 September 2011|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=21 September 2011}}</ref>

==== Sikkim ====

[[File:Sikkim earthquake aerial survey by Indian Air Force helicopter.jpg|thumb|Sikkim earthquake aerial survey by Indian Air Force helicopter]]

Two buildings of the [[Indo-Tibetan Border Police]] in the Pegong areas of [[North Sikkim]] collapsed.<ref>[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/sikkim-quake-itbp-buildings-collapse-pegong-area-badly-hit/articleshow/10031863.cms Sikkim quake: ITBP buildings collapse, Pegong area badly hit], The Economic Times, 18 September 2011</ref> In [[Gangtok]], many government offices and hospitals were left unusable.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/earthquake-toll-rises-to-50-in-india-rescue-teams-land-at-quakes-epicentre-mangan-134859 |title=Earthquake toll over 80; India 68; as rescue teams reach quake epicentre |publisher=Ndtv.com |access-date=22 September 2011}}</ref> The heavy shaking destroyed the villages of Lingzya, [[Sakyong]], Pentong, Bay and Tholong.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sp.m.timesofindia.com/PDATOI/articleshow/10071212.cms |title=The Times of India on Mobile |publisher=Sp.m.timesofindia.com |access-date=22 September 2011 |archive-date=2 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402220522/http://sp.m.timesofindia.com/PDATOI/articleshow/10071212.cms |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Nepal ===
In the capital city of Nepal, [[Kathmandu]], damage from the earthquake was comparatively limited. Three people were killed when a wall at the British Embassy collapsed, and many others suffered injuries. The shaking effects were more severe in eastern Nepal, which is closer to the epicenter. There, hundreds of homes sustained significant damage, and due to saturated soil from preceding heavy rains widespread mudslides impacted the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://reliefweb.int/node/447465|title=Quake hits vast Himalayan region killing 63|date=19 September 2011|access-date=19 September 2011|publisher=[[Agence France-Presse]]|first=Prakash|last=Adhikari}}</ref> [[Sunsari District|Sunsari]] experienced power and telephone communication outages. Two people were killed in the eastern city of [[Dharan, Nepal|Dharan]].<ref name="Powerful quake rocks Nepal, at least five killed">{{cite web|title=Powerful quake rocks Nepal, at least five killed|url=http://www.nepalmountainnews.com/cms/?p=38813|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104023455/http://www.nepalmountainnews.com/cms/?p=38813|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 January 2013|work=18 September 2011|publisher=Nepalmountainnews.com|access-date=18 September 2011}}</ref> Overall, in Nepal 6 people died due to the earthquake.

===Bangladesh===
The earthquake was felt most strongly in northern Bangladesh. The quake was also felt in [[Dhaka]], [[Rajshahi]], [[Sylhet]], [[Mymensingh]], [[Barisal]], [[Faridpur Sadar Upazila|Faridpur]], [[Jessore (city)|Jessore]], [[Khulna]], [[Pabna]], [[Bogra]], [[Comilla]], [[Noakhali]], [[Chittagong]] and as far as [[Cox's Bazar]].<ref name=bd>{{cite news|title=6.8 tremor jolts Dhaka, Ctg, Sylhet |url=http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=206403&cid=2 |access-date=18 September 2011 |work=bdnews24.com |date=18 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925090250/http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=206403&cid=2 |archive-date=25 September 2011 }}</ref> Panicked people rushed out of their homes and offices,<ref name=bd /><ref name=bd-toi>{{cite news|title=Powerful quake jolts Bangladesh, sparks panic|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-18/south-asia/30171833_1_jolts-strong-earthquake-richter-scale|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106143015/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-18/south-asia/30171833_1_jolts-strong-earthquake-richter-scale|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 November 2012|access-date=18 September 2011|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=18 September 2011}}</ref> but the only damage seems to be tilted and cracked buildings;<ref name=bd2>{{cite news|title=Two Dhaka buildings damaged in quake |url=http://bdnews24.com/details.php?cid=2&id=206404&hb=2 |access-date=18 September 2011 |newspaper=bdnews24.com |date=18 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402071635/http://bdnews24.com/details.php?cid=2&id=206404&hb=2 |archive-date=2 April 2012 }}</ref> no casualties were reported.<ref name=bd-toi /> Cell phone lines were also down for a few minutes during the quake.<ref name=bd-toi />

=== China ===
In [[Tibet]], building collapse was reported in [[Yadong County|Yadong]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.ifeng.com/mainland/detail_2011_09/19/9294991_0.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111134437/http://news.ifeng.com/mainland/detail_2011_09/19/9294991_0.shtml|title=印度锡金邦地震造成西藏7人死亡 亚东县受灾严重|url-status=dead|date=2011-09-19|archive-date=2012-01-11|work=[[Ifeng.com]]}}</ref> [[Dinggyê County|Dinggyê]] and [[Gamba County|Gamba]].<ref name="ifeng1">{{cite news|url=http://news.ifeng.com/society/news/detail_2011_09/19/9280777_0.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330073401/http://news.ifeng.com/society/news/detail_2011_09/19/9280777_0.shtml|title=受印度地震影响西藏边境地区部分房屋倒塌 一人受伤|url-status=dead|date=2011-09-19|archive-date=2012-03-30|work=[[Ifeng.com]]}}</ref> At least seven people were reported dead in Yadong.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://119.people.com.cn/GB/15693712.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203033340/http://119.people.com.cn/GB/15693712.html|title=西藏亚东县7人因地震死亡 消防救援|url-status=dead|date=2011-09-19|archive-date=2014-02-03|work=[[People's Daily]]}}</ref> Telephone service was interrupted in the seat of Yadong County.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/society/2011-09/18/c_122051241.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927084035/http://news.xinhuanet.com/society/2011-09/18/c_122051241.htm|title=印度锡金邦地震波及中国西藏边境地区|url-status=dead|date=2011-09-18|archive-date=2011-09-27|work=[[Xinhua News Agency]]}}</ref>

=== Bhutan ===
There were no reports of casualties in Bhutan, although cracks on walls and ceilings of houses were reported in Wangthangkha village, Lango and the town area in Paro. There were also reports of a landslide right after crossing the Isuna Bridge from [[Paro, Bhutan|Paro]] towards [[Thimphu]], and falling boulders after crossing Chundzom Bridge. Citizens were asked to avoid traveling on the Paro-Thimphu highway. Telecommunications networks were disrupted, with cellular networks unavailable after the quake.<ref>[http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=20824 Powerful tremor rock western Bhutan], [[Kuensel]] online, 19 September 2011</ref>

Prime Minister of Bhutan [[Jigmi Thinley]] updated in his status<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/notes/jigmi-y-thinley/latest-update-on-earthquake/192617204145411 |title=Aanmelden |publisher=Facebook |access-date=22 September 2011}}</ref> as "Phone lines remains clogged reflecting our caring and close knit society. No damage reported from East Bhutan. Four road blocks caused by falling debris are reported on the Chukha – Phuntsholing road. Two homes in Haa report damage with 3–4 people having suffered minor injury. Thimphu Dzong has sustained some cracks in the Utse and one of the four corner towers. Occupants have been moved out to safer parts. Please remain calm and alert."

== Rescue operations and compensation ==
{{more citations needed|section|date=September 2018}}<!--only first paragraph has citations-->
[[File:Army’s rescue operations in earth quake affected area of Sikkim (1).jpg|thumb|Army's rescue operations in earthquake affected area of Sikkim]]

[[File:Army’s rescue operations in earth quake affected area of Sikkim.jpg|thumb|Army personnel distributing relief material to the people in earthquake affected area of Sikkim]]

Early rescue operations included four teams of [[National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)|National Disaster Response Force]] been rushed to Sikkim and five more teams were being sent from Kolkata.<ref name=Aftershocks/> However, South and West Sikkim remained inaccessible delaying rescue operations owing to landslides caused by rainfall. A group of 14 tourists were rescued by the [[Indian Army|army]] from [[North Sikkim district|north Sikkim]]. The army had deployed 72 columns including infantry troops, combat engineers, four [[HAL Dhruv|Dhruv]] and five Cheetah helicopters. Rain and landslides had hampered the rescue efforts of workers searching for survivors.<ref name="toll"/><ref name="toll1">{{cite news|title=Sikkim earthquake: Landslides hamper rescue efforts, toll 40|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-19/india/30175555_1_sikkim-gangtok-ndrf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921163153/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-19/india/30175555_1_sikkim-gangtok-ndrf|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 September 2011|access-date=19 September 2011|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=19 September 2011}}</ref>300 people mostly labourers were given shelter in Chungthang Gurdwara.Food was prepared in gurdwara langar with more than 600 hot meals at all meal times.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Live Feed|url=https://resqcodelivefeed.tumblr.com/?og=1|access-date=2021-01-06|website=resqcodelivefeed.tumblr.com}}</ref>

Indian former [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] Dr. [[Manmohan Singh]], on 19 September, announced {{INRConvert|200000}} as ex-gratia to a family member of those killed in the earthquake and {{INRConvert|100000}} for seriously injured. {{INRConvert|50|k}} for those grievously injured and {{INRConvert|25|k}} for those with minor injuries was announced by [[List of Chief Ministers of Sikkim |Sikkim former chief minister]] [[Pawan Chamling]].<ref name="toll"/> Rescue and relief operations resumed in Sikkim since early in the morning on Tuesday with the weather showing signs of improvement. Road opening parties succeeded in restoring communication along NH31A and work was continuing to repair the North Sikkim Highway to Mangan and Chungthang. Fifteen helicopters have been pressed into service to evacuate casualties and deploy rescue and relief columns in the affected areas of north and west Sikkim.

Lt Gen Bikram Singh, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, also visited the earthquake-affected areas and met his senior staff officers to discuss the progress of Operation Trishakti Madad, the massive operation launched by the Army's 33 Corps to provide relief to those affected by Sunday's earthquake.

According to the Army, nearly 2,000 civilians are being provided shelter at eight Army relief camps at Gangtok, Chungthang, Pegong and Darjeeling. There are 400 others who have sought shelter at relief camps set up by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police. Several children from these camps even returned home on Tuesday and attended school

On Monday, when weather improved, Special Forces personnel slithered from helicopters into affected villages. Medical camps were set up and arrangements were made for casualty evacuation

21 engineering columns of the Army succeeded in restoring partial road connectivity to parts of north Sikkim on Tuesday. Telecommunications and power lines, that snapped due to the earthquake, were also restored.

In spite off all efforts, the highway to Gangtok remained badly affected due to landslides

==See also==
* [[List of earthquakes in 2011]]
* [[List of earthquakes in India]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-sikkim-quake-toll-rises-to-40-releif-ops-hit-by-landslides/20110919.htm Rediff.com: 40 killed in Sikkim quake; relief ops hit by landslides] (slideshow)
* [https://www.eeri.org/wp-content/uploads/Sikkim-EQ-report-FINAL_03-08.pdf The Mw 6.9 Sikkim-Nepal Border Earthquake of September 18, 2011] – [[Earthquake Engineering Research Institute]]
* {{EQ-isc-link|17238846}}
* {{ReliefWeb-link|eq-2011-000136-ind}}

{{Disasters in India in 2011}}
{{Earthquakes in 2011}}
{{Earthquakes in India}}
{{Himalayan earthquakes}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sikkim earthquake, 2011}}

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[[Category:2011 earthquakes]]
[[Category:Earthquakes in India]]
[[Category:Earthquakes in Nepal]]
[[Category:Earthquakes in Bhutan]]
[[Category:Earthquakes in Bangladesh]]
[[Category:2011 disasters in India]]
[[Category:History of Sikkim]]
[[Category:2011 in Nepal]]
[[Category:2011 in Bhutan]]
[[Category:2011 in Bangladesh]]
[[Category:September 2011 events in Asia]]
[[Category:Disasters in Sikkim]]
[[Category:Himalayas]]