Himalayan Earthquake - Sep 2011

A strong 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit northeast India on 18 Sep 2011 in the small, landlocked Himalayan state of Sikkim, which borders Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet. The epicenter of the quake was 64 kilometer northwest of Gangtok. (WHO, 19 Sep 2011)

The earthquake caused widespread damage to the infrastructure in Sikkim and killed more than 110 people. The main shock was followed by several aftershocks of low intensity which have triggered landslides in the backdrop of persistent heavy rains. (IFRC, 4 Oct 2011)

In Nepal, the earthquake killed seven people and injured 88. More than 47,000 people were displaced, almost 8,000 houses were destroyed and more than 13,000 damaged. Several hundred schools and classrooms as well as dozens of health posts and public buildings also suffered damage. (IFRC, 10 Feb 2012)

In Bhutan, over 8,000 households were affected by the earthquake; more than 4,200 people were displaced. 845 houses, 110 schools, 36 hospitals and health units and religious structures were destroyed or severely damaged. (OCHA, 14 Oct 2011)

In Tibet, seven people were killed and 136 injured. The quake slightly damaged about 13,000 houses, with another 4,500 destroyed or severely damaged. (Xinhua, 21 Sept 2011)

In Bangladesh, the tremor damaged a number of buildings and infrastructure, but no casualties or massive destruction were reported (Government, 19 Sep 2011)