A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit areas in the northeast state of Sikkim and its surrounding areas on Sunday night, killing at least 53. According to China's Tibetan seismologic network's measurement, the epicenter depth was about 20 kilometers.
Four aftershocks had been reported as of Monday morning, among which a 4.8-magnitude one was the worst. Thirty-one casualties were confirmed by police in the northeastern Indian state of Sikkim, the epicenter of Sunday night's quake. More deaths were reported in nearby Nepal, and in China's Tibet autonomous region.
Indian government dispatched 5,000 troops and nine military choppers to Indian quake-hit areas, and had rescued at least 300 local people and 23 tourists from high danger zone. Rain and landslides hampered the search for survivors.
Thick clouds prevented helicopters from flying over the affected areas, and authorities said casualties could rise. Thousands of soldiers helping rescue efforts may not reach many areas until Tuesday because high mountain passes are blocked.
"The situation doesn't look good," an official from the UN disaster management team in New Delhi told Reuters. "My feeling is that the death toll and number of injured are going to increase."It has been raining for four straight days in parts of Sikkim and the temperature in the quake zone was about 8 C.
Shops, businesses and offices were closed in Gangtok and neighboring areas, the resident said. Power was restored in the capital but other towns remained without electricity. Telephone communication was patchy.
"Even if the number of casualties is low, there is likely to be a huge need for humanitarian assistance for affected civilians whose homes have been destroyed and who need food and shelter. The UN is taking this very seriously," said the UN official, who asked not to be named.
At least seven people have died and 23 others were injured, including two severely injured, in a southern county of China's Tibet autonomous region.
The earthquake has caused hundreds of landslides that have disrupted traffic, power and water supplies, as well as telecommunications in Yadong county, the Tibet autonomous region, which is 40 km away from the epicenter.
At least 600 houses were damaged in Xigaze prefecture, which administers Yadong. The total could increase as the search continues.
Local authorities mobilized workers to use heavy machinery to clear debris from major roads in order to ensure the transport of relief supplies, and had sent 1,100 tents and 4,500 cotton-padded clothes and quilts to the area.
Road traffic to the Himalayan county resumed on Monday morning. Xinhua reporters arriving at the county early on Monday morning saw dozens of earthquake victims wrapped in cotton quilts camped on the street enduring rain and sleet.
Dianzin Namgyai, secretary of the Xigaze prefecture committee of the Communist Party of China, visited victims in Galingang village on Monday, one of the worst hit in the quake. He said all 156 houses in the village were damaged - leaving villagers homeless.
Wang Changlin, rector of the Yadong County Middle School, said the school had to cancel classes on Monday, as all 355 students are temporarily living in six tents.