Quakes keep West Sikkim awake, residents seek safety outdoors

KUSH HANG LEEWANG

GEYZING, : West Sikkim has been experiencing a series of low-intensity earthquake tremors over the past several days, triggering widespread fear and anxiety among residents, particularly in urban areas and high-rise buildings.

The brief but frequent earthquake swarm, with epicentres largely around Geyzing, began in the last week of January. Tremors have been reported almost daily with repeated mild shocks felt especially during the night. According to residents, multiple jolts were witnessed on the intervening nights of February 5-6 and again on February7, 8, 9 and 10 with minor tremors continuing throughout the daytime.

While no major damage has been reported so far, some households and public infrastructure have suffered minor damage in certain areas. The persistent shaking has forced many families to leave their homes at night and take shelter in open spaces and streets.

“We are not able to sleep for the past several days as the earthquakes have been continuous and pose inevitable risks to life and property. We have no other option but to take refuge in open spaces, leaving our home, as we cannot risk the lives of our family,” said a resident of Geyzing bazar.

Another resident said he had decided to shift his family to his brother’s wooden house, citing concerns over the safety of concrete structures during earthquakes.

Health officials say people with heart-related ailments and psychiatric conditions are among the worst affected. Several such patients have reportedly been hospitalised or placed under medication due to stress and anxiety caused by the repeated tremors.

Residents from Yuksam-Tashiding constituency have also reported hearing unusual sounds following some of the earthquakes. “Some moments after the tremors, we hear peculiar sounds like blasts or explosions from beneath the ground. It is frightening. We have never heard such intense sounds after earthquakes before,” said a resident from Tashiding, calling for detailed scientific research into the phenomenon.

Concerned citizens have questioned the preparedness of authorities should the situation worsen. They have appealed for regular updates on earthquake monitoring, timely public advisories and stronger disaster preparedness measures in West Sikkim. Questions have also been raised about the availability of seismic instruments, as the district reportedly lacks a seismograph to measure earthquake magnitude.

Ganesh Rai, district project officer of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), said the situation is being closely monitored and that the department is prepared to respond to any emergency. While acknowledging the absence of earthquake-measuring instruments in the district, he said the DDMA is equipped to deal with major earthquake-related situations.

As a precautionary step, the DDMA has launched public awareness campaigns through loudspeaker announcements in Darap, Pelling and Lingchom with Geyzing bazaar and other areas to be covered soon. Audio advisories have also been shared on digital platforms.

“We are monitoring the situation and are well prepared to tackle any earthquake-related risks in the district. We appeal to the public not to panic and to follow the safety measures shared during the awareness campaigns,” Rai said.

District collector Tenzing D. Denzongpa, who is also the chairman of the DDMA, said he was unavailable for comment at the time and assured that he would share his opinion on the matter on Tuesday.