Tuesday, February 14 2006 14:09 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Gangtok: Cracks appeared in a number of buildings and roads in and around Gangtok and water supply and telecommunication network were partially disrupted in early morning tremors that rocked Sikkim and parts of north Bengal and Assam today (Feb 14,2006).

Prominent structures damaged in the quake, which was epicentered in Sikkim and measured 5.7 on the Richter scale, included the Inchey monastery, the new secretariat building, the new Lall market shopping complex and the Janata Bhawan, official sources said.

Numerous private houses and school buildings, shops and hotels in different parts of the town too developed cracks, the sources said.

Early morning tremors which occurred at 6.25 am lasted for about 12 seconds, forcing frightened bleary-eyed people out of their beds to the streets in the capital and adjoining areas like Deorali, Tadong, Chandmari and Singtam.

For about half an hour after the quake, people remained at a safe distance outside their houses apprehending recurrence of the tremors.

The police have asked the people to remain alert but requested them not to stand outside their houses as it might spread unnecessary panic, DIG (Range) Akshay Sachdeva said.

Reports from Guwahati said the tremor was experienced there but did not result in casualty or damage to property.

The tremor was felt also in the north Bengal districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Coochbehar, Malda and North Dinajpur but there too no casualty or damage was reported.