GANGTOK — Two moderate earthquakes struck Sikkim in quick succession on Thursday morning, February 26, 2026, causing tremors across the Himalayan state and triggering panic among residents. According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the quakes measured 4.6 and 3.5 on the Richter scale, occurring within less than an hour of each other. Despite the seismic activity, local authorities have confirmed that there are no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage to property.
The first and more powerful tremor, a magnitude 4.6 earthquake, hit at 11:24 a.m. The NCS identified the epicentre approximately 4 kilometres northeast of Yuksom in the Gyalshing district. The quake originated at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, which often intensifies the surface vibrations felt by the local population. Witnesses in the western and southern parts of the state reported furniture shaking and a loud rumbling sound that lasted several seconds.
The second seismic event occurred shortly after at 12:17 p.m., registering a magnitude of 3.5. This tremor was centred in the Mangan district, roughly 11 kilometres northwest of the capital, Gangtok. Like the first quake, this event also occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres. Residents in Gangtok reported feeling a sharp jolt, prompting many to rush out of buildings and into open spaces as a precautionary measure.
District officials and disaster management teams have been placed on high alert to monitor for aftershocks or delayed reports of damage from remote high-altitude villages. Sikkim, located in the high-seismic Zone IV and V, is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes due to its position in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. While the state frequently experiences minor tremors, the back-to-back nature of today’s events has led to increased vigilance across the administration.
