Relief and rescue operations are in full swing in quake-hit Sikkim West Bengal and Bihar. Government started air dropping of food to earthquake-affected people in Sikkim. Union Home Secretary R K Singh told reporters in New Delhi that two medical teams with doctors and paramedics have reached worst affected Mangan and Sangthan with the help of helicopters .He said, nine helicopters were engaged in carrying out rescue and relief operations — mostly in worst-hit North district. Detailing on the restoration work being undertaken by various agencies, the Home Secretary said that road to Gangtok has been opened to traffic besides power has been restored in the city.Quoting defence sources our correspondent reports, over 5,000 troops, six transport aircraft and a total of 15 helicopters have been deployed by the armed forces in the quake hit Sikkim to carry out relief operations.Defence spokesperson Colonel A.S. Chauhan said in New Delhi, that the road connecting Gangtok with North Sikkim has been cut off at several places. Three battalions of army and one battalion of ITBP with over 4,500 men are present in that area. He said, connectivity has been maintained through helicopters and work is on to restore the road, which is crucial for reaching the area bordering China. Meanwhile, two Mi-17 helicopter of IAF carried relief material and National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) personnel to Lachen and Mangan in North Sikkim Area. One Mi-17 Chopper with Medical Team and relief equipment has got airborne for Gangtok. Border Roads Organisation has been able to reopen the Himalayan state's life line-the National Highway 31-A. Meanwhile the death toll in devastating earthquake has risen to 74 in India. 50 people have died in Sikkim, seventeen in Bihar and seven in West Bengal. The death toll in Nepal has been revised to 6 while in Tibet seven deaths have been reported. The Home Secretary R K Singh expressed anxiety over the fact that some people may still be trapped under the debris. Mr Singh said ten bodies of employees of Teesta Hydro Electric Project were recovered from the debris in Singtam.The Chief Minister Sikkim Mr. Pawan Chamling has announced an ex- gratia payment of five lakhs rupees for the next of kin of each of the deceased persons. A financial assistance of 50,000 rupees each will be given for grievous injuries while 25,000 rupees each will be given for minor injuries. In West Bengal, the State Disaster Management Minister Javed Khan told newspersons in Kolkata that, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and North Dinajpur Districts have been badly affected by the quake. The Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reviewed the situation at a high level meeting at Kurseong in Darjeeling District yesterday. Miss Banerjee instructed the administration to repair the damaged roads in North Bengal particularly in worst hit Kurseong, Kalimpong and Darjeeling Sub-divisions on a war-footing.Earlier, the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh announced two lakh rupees as ex-gratia to next of kin of those killed in the earthquake. One lakh rupees will be given to those seriously injured.In Bihar relief and rescue operation is continuing in earthquake affected areas of the state. The state government has instructed officials to assess the damage caused due to earthquake. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced an exgratia payment of rupees one lakh fifty thousand rupee for the kin of those killed in the earthquake. Meanwhile, nine more persons succumbed to his injuries in Darbhanga, Madhubani, Samastipur and Sitamarhi districts taking the death toll in earthquake have risen to Seventeen. Maximum numbers of six casualities were reported from Darbhanga district of the state AIR Patna correspondent reports that several kutcha houses collapsed in adjoining districts of Nepal due to tremors.