The 2009 Bhutan earthquake occurred on 21 September at 14:53 BTT (08:53 UTC) in the eastern region of Bhutan with moment magnitude of 6.1. The epicenter was situated at 180 kilometres (110 mi) east of the capital Thimphu, in Monggar District.[3] However, Bangladesh and northern India also felt it, with residents in Guwahati, Assam reporting cracks in buildings.[4] The tremors were felt as far as Tibet.[5]
At least eleven people are reported to have been killed—seven in Bhutan, four in India.[2] The death toll, initially ten, increased when one more died in the night.[6][7][8][9] At least fifteen were wounded.[2] Many of the deaths in Bhutan came about when their houses fell in on top of them.[2] The Indians were construction workers whose road fell through.[2]
One businessman said the earthquake happened as shopping was underway for the Blessed Rainy Day ceremony of Buddhism.[4] Another inhabitant said it "made the surrounding hills look like they were throwing up dust" and that "the road was suddenly filled with boulders and mud".[2] Thousands are living outdoors as a result.[4] Children were crushed under structures as they caved in.[4] Roads were blocked but these were cleaned up relatively quickly.[4] Monasteries were also struck.[9] People ran for their lives out of their homes.[9]
Prime MinisterofBhutanJigme Thinley said the earthquake was "one of the biggest disasters in recent times".[4] He also said the length of the earthquake (95 seconds) was "very long".[4] He and his home minister embarked on a visit to the region.[4]
Kayal, J. R.; Arefiev, Sergei S.; Baruah, Saurabh; Tatevossian, Ruben; Gogoi, Naba; Sanoujam, Manichandra; Gautam, J. L.; Hazarika, Devajit; Borah, Dipak (2010), "The 2009 Bhutan and Assam felt earthquakes (Mw6.3 and 5.1) at the Kopili fault in the northeast Himalaya region", Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk, 1 (3): 273–281, doi:10.1080/19475705.2010.486561
Ten dead after earthquake in BhutanatWikinews
