An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.3 on the Richter scale struck the Sikkim town of Yuksom early Monday morning, according to the National Center for Seismology. The earthquake occurred around 4.15 a.m. at a depth of 10 km, and the epicentre was 70 km north-west of Yuksom.
“Earthquake of Magnitude:4.3, Occurred on 13-02-2023, 04:15:04 IST, Lat: 27.81 & Long: 87.71, Depth: 10 Km, Location: 70 km NW of Yuksom, Sikkim, India,” the National Center for Seismology informed in a tweet.
Earthquake in other regions
Another earthquake of magnitude 4.0 on the Richter scale struck Assam’s Nagaon on Sunday. According to NCS, the earthquake occurred at 4.18 p.m. and the depth of the quake was 10 km.
The epicentre was located in Nagaon district, about 160 km east of Guwahati, near Hojai in central Assam. According to an official bulletin, there was no immediate report of any loss of life or property damage.
A 3.8 magnitude tremor was recorded in Gujarat’s Surat district the day before. The tremor was recorded at 12:52 a.m., with its epicentre about 27 km west south west (WSW) of Surat, as stated by an official with the Institute of Seismological Research (ISR).
“It occurred at a depth of 5.2 km, with the epicentre in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Hazira in the district. The quakes caused no damage to property or people,” a district disaster management official confirmed.
Both earthquakes occurred 48 hours after a 3.8 magnitude earthquake in Gujarat’s Surat district. As stated by the Institute of Seismological Research (ISR), the quakes occurred at 12:52 a.m., with the epicentre approximately 27 km west south west (WSW) of Surat.
Natural disasters in Sikkim
Sikkim is highly susceptible to natural disasters as it is located in Seismic Zone IV/V. It has one of the highest annual precipitation totals in the country. Annually, a significant number of people are impacted by natural disasters, the most common of which are landslides, river bank erosion, and floods.
The State Disaster Relief Fund is administered by the department that receives 90% and 10% of the provisions allotted by the Finance Commission for each fiscal year. In the form of ex gratia and gratuitous relief payments, the Department has been providing adequate assistance to the victims of all types of natural disasters that have occurred in the state.
The assistance is provided by the Office of the District Collectors, Sub-Divisional Offices, and Block Administrative Centres in accordance with the State Disaster Response Fund’s standing items and norms.