2011 Sikkim earthquake
The 2011 Sikkim earthquake (also known as the 2011 Himalayan earthquake) occurred with a 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 18:10 IST on Sunday, 18 September. The earthquake was felt across northeastern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and southern Tibet.
| UTC time | 2011-09-18 12:40:51 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 17238846 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | 18 September 2011 |
| Local time | 18:10 IST 18:25 NPT 18:40 BTT 20:40 CST |
| Duration | 30–40 seconds |
| Magnitude | 6.9 Mw |
| Depth | 19.7 km (12.1 mi) |
| Epicenter | Taplejung, Nepal 27.723°N 88.064°E |
| Type | Intraplate |
| Areas affected | India Bangladesh Nepal Bhutan China |
| Total damage | $22.3 billion USD |
| Max. intensity | MMI VII (Very strong) |
| Landslides | Yes |
| Aftershocks | Yes |
| Casualties | At least 111 killed |
At least 111 people were killed in the earthquake. Most of the deaths occurred in Sikkim, with reports of fatalities in and near Singtam in the East Sikkim district. Several buildings collapsed in Gangtok. Eleven are reported dead in Nepal, including three killed when a wall collapsed in the British Embassy in Kathmandu. 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's Sonipat district, sending tremors in New Delhi. The earthquake was the fourth significant earthquake in India of September 2011.
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.