Gangtok, Feb 6: A mild earthquake measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale struck Namchi in south Sikkim during the early hours of February 6, briefly rattling residents from their sleep, according to data released by the National Centre for Seismology. The tremor was recorded at 3.11 am and originated at a shallow depth of about five kilometres, a factor that often results in stronger shaking at the surface even when the magnitude is moderate.
In an update shared on social media platform X, the NCS provided the quake’s coordinates, placing the epicentre near Namchi at latitude 27.38 north and longitude 88.42 east. While no immediate reports of casualties or structural damage were received, the tremor was clearly felt indoors, prompting concern among locals.
Residents recounted experiencing noticeable movement inside their homes and workplaces. Mrityunjay Das, a local resident, said the shaking became evident when household items shifted from their positions. Another resident said he felt a sudden jolt while at his shop and only later realised it was an earthquake after speaking to others.
The latest tremor comes close on the heels of recent seismic activity in the broader region. Just two days earlier, parts of Kolkata had experienced tremors following earthquakes reported in neighbouring areas such as Myanmar, Bangladesh and Tibet, as per the National Centre for Seismology.
Sikkim and the wider eastern Himalayan belt lie in a high seismic risk zone, where tectonic movements frequently trigger low- to moderate-intensity earthquakes. Experts have long cautioned that such recurring tremors are indicative of ongoing tectonic stress, underscoring the need for sustained preparedness and awareness in the region.
