Fresh tremors in Bengal, CM says 108 from state missing in Nepal

Fresh tremors of moderate intensity were experienced in northern West Bengal on Monday evening, sending people scurrying out of their homes, offices and market places, even as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said at least 108 people from her state were still missing in quake-hit Nepal.

Another 336 from the state were stranded in the Himalayan nation after the devastating calamity struck on .

The quake that struck Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, North Dinajpur and Malda districts at 6.06 p.m. and measured 5.1 on the Richter scale had its epicentre in Nepal.

Panicky people ululated and blew conch shells, while many rushed to open grounds and on to the streets.

Many people are now living in tents fearing fresh damage to their houses in various areas of north Bengal.

Banerjee, on a tour to the affected areas of north Bengal, on Monday said the series of quakes and aftershocks caused damage in 62 blocks of the state.

"As many as 62 blocks of West Bengal have been affected... 108 people from our state are missing in Nepal, where 336 from Bengal are trapped... we are looking into it," she said here.

In Siliguri itself, about 3,000 houses were damaged in Saturday's quake.

Banerjee said a vehicle carrying rescuers as also the Indian relatives of the citizens of Nepal was slated to start for Kathmandu from Siliguri.

She said a team of 15 Indian mountaineers, who had gone for an expedition to Everest, was trapped there and rescue efforts were on.

The chief minister said a team of 10 disaster management personnel -- comprising personnel of the Indian Army, the Border Security Force, police and others -- will be set up in each of the 19 districts to tackle problems of this stature in future.

The squad has been named Seva Shree team.

The state government is presently evaluating the destruction caused by the series of quakes on Saturday, and the resultant aftershocks on Sunday and Monday.

Banerjee, accompanied by North Bengal Development Minister Gautam Deb met senior officials and police in Darjeeling district.

Later, she said there has been severe losses due to the quake and the government needed time to make a full assessment of the damages.

Banerjee said several high-rises were coming up nowadays, and people needed to be made aware that these buildings were earthquake resistant.