Earthquake hits Bhutan

A powerful earthquake hit Bhutan yesterday at around 6.40 pm. Tremors from the quake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale around its epicentre in Sikkim, India, were felt across the country.

While no casualties were reported, reports of considerable damage to buildings, temples and dzongs are coming in. The earthquake also triggered roadblocks and vehicle accidents. Among the important structures affected is Tadzong in Paro. Part of the thick wall of the old building, which houses the national museum of Bhutan, had given way.

In Thimphu, many buildings have sustained cracks from the tremors. Some residents say another earthquake of the same magnitude would bring them down.

Meanwhile, reports of some injuries are also coming in.

In some parts of the country, the earthquake immediately triggered power failure and cellular network failure. While power came back after about 15 minutes, communication lines remained clogged for hours. People immediately scrambled for information on the earthquake, but no information flowed through any channel except rumours about aftershocks which made rounds until the early morning hours.

8 Responses to “Earthquake hits Bhutan”

1. Dolma says:

   September 19, 2011 at 12:43 pm

   Let’s all of us join our hearts to pray and join our hands to help the victims both spiritually and in kind. This is the right chance to help the fellow-human and sentient beings as ours is a Dharmic country with dharmic people.

   Reply
2. Phurba, AMC says:

   September 20, 2011 at 5:57 pm

   Its a a warning to the bhutanese that anytime, anything can happen.its hard to predict the future be it after an hour but we can always prepare for the future.its time bhutan should be alert. lastly may all bhutanese be free from those disaster…let us fold our hand and pray for it

   Reply
3. Karma says:

   September 21, 2011 at 11:06 am

   The natural things that we can not predict or stop from happening are _ SICKNESS, DEATH AND THE EARTH QUAKE. Neither we can stop from happening nor can we predict exactly. But they are the sure things that will happen one day or the other day.

   So it is matter of prepareness and alertness that we can do only.

   Reply
4. sonam says:

   September 21, 2011 at 6:29 pm

   may bhutan be safe from those disaster…let us all pray for our safe future…

   Reply
5. thevy says:

   September 22, 2011 at 1:25 pm

   I pray and hope that all the people of this serene kingdom that I had recently visited are safe. I also hope any damage to the centuries’ old buildings can be repaired and restored to its original glory.

   Reply
6. Kuenga says:

   September 26, 2011 at 12:09 pm

   We also pray that the National Housing Development Coprporation to develop and issue with free uniform drawings of rural houses to reconstruct strong and safer and cheaper homes for our villagers and towns like Gup’s Offices of all 205 geogs.

   Reply
7. Kuenga says:

   September 26, 2011 at 12:11 pm

   We also pray that the National Housing Development Coprporation to develop and issue with free uniform drawings of rural houses to reconstruct strong and safer and cheaper homes for our villagers and towns like Gup’s Offices of all 205 geogs.

   This is the time to help and support one another to keep all of us safe and happy.

   Reply
8. Allan says:

   October 2, 2011 at 7:57 am

   My sincere prayers to all those affected.

   Reply