Overview
- The 4.9-magnitude quake struck the Sikkim–Nepal region early Thursday, with the National Centre for Seismology placing the epicentre about 40 km northwest of Yuksom at latitude 27.671 N and longitude 87.987 E.
- The NCS recorded the tremor at a depth of 73 km, a depth that typically reduces surface shaking and likely explains why there were no immediate reports of damage.
- Residents in parts of West and East Sikkim, including Gangtok, reported mild shaking but authorities confirmed no casualties or property loss at the time of filing.
- A separate 3.9-magnitude quake struck Shimla district in Himachal Pradesh late Wednesday at a depth of 10 km and was felt in Jubbal and Rohru without causing reported damage.
- By contrast, a stronger central Japan quake on Nov. 8 was measured at 5.7 by Japan’s Meteorological Agency and 5.5 by the USGS, broke windows and injured at least 22 people, highlighting regional concerns about seismic zoning and building preparedness.