At least 25 people have lost their lives and over 100 injured after a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Sikkim on Sunday evening. Authorities fear the toll could rise further. The exact extent of damages is yet to be assessed as relief and rescue is yet to reach affected areas.

Out of the 25 dead, 16 are from Sikkim, two from Bihar and five in West Bengal. Two Army personnel are also reported to have been killed in the quake in North Sikkim.

Army vehicles including a bus that went missing have been found and all personnel are safe. In all 50 Army columns have been deployed to help in the relief and rescue operations. Several cookhouses have been set up to provide food to those whose houses have been damaged.

The Bagdogra airbase has been made the centre of all operations.

The armed forces have deployed teams for relief and rescue activity; the Centre is also sending in emergency teams. But heavy rains, intermittent power cut, and loss of mobile phone connectivity are hampering rescue operations.

The 6.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Sikkim at 6.10 pm on Sunday. Mangan, 54 km from Gangtok, was the epicentre of the quake that left a trail of death and massive damages in its wake. The tremors were felt West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, North East and Nepal.

The quake has cut off Sikkim. The national highway has been closed after heavy rains followed by landslides and there are reports of people being trapped. Army units have been sent to all the areas that have been hit by the quake.

The Centre has also rushed in teams of the National Disaster Response Force. They have been flown in from Delhi and Kolkata to Bagdora from where they proceeded by road.

Rescue operations underway

Rescue operations began within hours of the quake striking. Army columns in small teams have been deployed across Sikkim to provide humanitarian assistance. These columns comprise medical teams with first aid kits as well as engineers. Four-hundred personnel from the National Disaster Relief Force have reached Bagdogra from where they will move by road.

Thirty columns from the 33 Corps in Siliguri are also engaged in rescue activity. Bihar has sent 160 personnel to help in the relief efforts. The BSF rescue team and the dog squad have also been pressed into service.

Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel rescued 200 civilians including 22 tourists. All of them have taken refuge at the Pegong camp. An IAF team carrying supplies is on its way.

Bihar, Gujarat offer assistance

Bihar and Bengal have sent rescue teams to Sikkim while Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has also offered assistance.

"When the earthquake happened I too felt the termor. Our departments are on the job, we are gathering information," said Bihar Chief Minis Nitish Kumar.

"On behalf of the people of Gujarat I convey my condolences. Such a situation demands cooperation from all. The Gujarat government is ready to extend support to all those who have been affected," said Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.