Gangtok, June 8: A 5.6-magnitude earthquake that struck Bhutan late on Sunday night sent tremors across Sikkim and several districts of north Bengal, causing brief panic among residents.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred at 11.06 pm near Punakha in Bhutan. The tremors were felt for a few seconds in Gangtok and other parts of Sikkim, prompting residents to step out of their homes as a precautionary measure.
Officials confirmed that there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to property in Sikkim. The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority stated that the situation was being closely monitored.
The impact of the quake was also felt in parts of north Bengal, including Siliguri, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts, all of which lie close to the Bhutan border. Residents in several areas reported mild shaking and briefly moved outdoors in response.
Authorities in the affected regions have confirmed that no injuries or property damage have been reported so far, while monitoring continues in coordination with disaster management agencies.
