Sikkim shaken by 4.7-magnitude earthquake, no casualties reported

Parts of Sikkim were shaken on Saturday evening by a 4.7‑magnitude earthquake, officials said. The epicentre of the quake, which struck at 6:35 pm , was located about 11 km from Maneybung in West Sikkim, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) . A senior official of the Sikkim Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) said, “ No injuries or property damage have been reported, and all essential teams are on alert assessing the situation.”

Residents reported that the tremors were strongly felt in Gangtok and several other towns across the state. The IMD added that vibrations were also detected in Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and China , prompting people in some regions to briefly evacuate buildings.

This event followed a magnitude 4.0 quake in Namchi early on Friday morning, which occurred at a shallow depth of 5 km and was felt indoors by locals. A resident, Mrityunjay Das, said, “We felt strong shaking and saw objects move before we realised it was an earthquake.”

Experts note that the eastern Himalayan region is a known high‑risk seismic zone due to the ongoing collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. This tectonic stress has been reflected in a series of recent events, including numerous small tremors overnight , some felt across North Bengal in places such as Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Siliguri , which prompted brief panic among residents.

Seismic monitoring also recorded an intense sequence of 33 tremors within about 13 hours , reinforcing concerns about the state’s vulnerability and the need for earthquake‑resistant construction and strict building code enforcement in hill regions. Urban planners have cautioned against unchecked construction on slopes and in densely populated valleys.

Although authorities and scientists say there is no specific forecast of aftershocks following the 4.7‑magnitude quake, they have urged residents to remain vigilant and follow established safety guidelines . An SDMA official said, “Residents should stay informed, prepare for possible jolts and report any unusual geologic activity immediately.”

So far, there have been no reports of structural damage to critical infrastructure, and disaster teams continue surveys in rural and urban areas to ensure public safety.