Gangtok: Four days after a powerful earthquake hit the state, leaving behind a trail of deaths and devastations, Sikkim on Thursday again felt minor tremors of 3.9 magnitude.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) sources, the quake measuring 3.9 magnitude in the Richter scale hit the state at 10.15 pm. The epicentre of the quake was in Sikkim.
Panicked residents in the state capital came out of their homes during the tremor.
Director General of Police (DGP) Jasbir Singh said most of the people came out of their homes and are now on the roads and in other open areas, the DGP said.
As most of the houses in the city have developed cracks after Sunday's 6.8 magnitude quake, people are reluctant to return to their houses after the mild tremor and wanted to spend the night on the roads and in other open areas, Singh said.
At least 74 people have died in the Himalayan state in Sunday's powerful temblor, with the total death toll touching 116.
The minor quake comes after the northeastern state was on Thursday hit by flash floods. The flash floods hit Lachung, located in north Sikkim district near China border, damaging at least two houses, including one Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) camp.
As many as 100 people have been stranded due to the flash floods that occurred on Thursday.
Meanwhile, rescue operations are on in the quake-hit areas of the state, where the army has dropped food and medical supply. Evacuation operations have also begun in Safu.
Union Home Minister P Chidambaram also visited the quake-hit areas on Thursday to review the situation. He said that the prime motive was to provide relief to 5000-6000 in camps, and to restore connectivity and water supply.
On arrival Chidambaram visited the STNM hospital where he met the victims and their families. Post that he went to the Secretariat and met the Governor.
Chidambaram also took an aerial tour of the affected areas.
The Home Minister also stated, "The government will help in every way to restore normalcy in Sikkim. We have our sympathies with the victims and their families. Rs 50 crore have been released from the Centre for Sikkim. The Prime Minister will also visit the state soon."
On the ground, the death toll across Sikkim touched 74 on Thursday with several still injured and stranded. The town of Chungthang in North Sikkim is one of the worst affected.
Power in quake epicentre Mangan has been restored, but roads beyond the area have been badly affected making it difficult to reach the interiors. Medical teams are being flown in with food and medical supplies but nine villages still remain completely cut off.
(With additional information from PTI)
Comments
0 comment