By Mudassir Rizwan, TwoCircles.net,
Patna: As if the actual shock due to tremors following the earthquake and aftershocks in Nepal were not enough, scores of people in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are spending nights outside of their homes due to fear from rumours about another quake of stronger intensity.
“We are in panic since two days. Yesterday, we got information that there will be another quake again some between 3 to 5 pm but it did not happen. But because of that everybody got panicked and took shelter outside our houses,” Shayista, 30, from Kishanganj in Bihar told TwoCircles.net on phone.
A view of collapsed houses due to earthquake in Madhubani, Bihar on Sunday. (Credit: NDTV)
As many as 54 people are dead and 173 others injured in Bihar as a result of strong tremors / aftershocks following the earthquake of 7.9 magnitude on the Richter scale in Nepal on Saturday.
Bihar and Uttar Pradesh experienced shocks and after shock after the major earthquake in Nepal on April 25. In fact the aftershock on Sunday measured 6.7 on the Richter scale, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The epicenter was Kodari, around 80 kms east of Kathmandu. Yet another shock of wave spread across Bihar on Monday evening as another after shock of intensity 6.5 on the Richter scale struck near Nepal-Sikkim border. It also sent social media on the over drive about rumours.
Nadeem, 28 from Patna said since the aftershock, he and his family were very tense about when another earthquake will come. “Some houses have also cracked here. Yesterday, we went to the Gandhi Maidan because of fear (of another quake),” he said.
Nadeem was not alone. On Saturday night, thousands of people in Patna spent sleepless night outside their houses following the quake earlier in the day. Mohammad Zahid Abbas, 35, also from Patna said, “We stayed awake the whole night at Gandhi Maidan due to fear. On Saturday night too we felt tremors 4-5 times different times.”
It was almost chaotic when people rushed out of their houses and gathered at nearby open spaces after tremors were felt in the state again on Sunday at 12.40 pm.
Syed Maroof Jamal, 40, from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh – area neighbouring Nepal border – said, “Here, we are tense after this not just because of the quake but also because some people were trying to spread rumours. We remained outside the house. But Allah knows better when this going to happen.”
On Sunday, people were on the guard as the state government, meteorological department and disaster management departments asked people to be cautious.
Anirudh Kumar, special secretary, State Disaster Management Department, told TCN on phone that 54 dead and 173 injured in Bihar. “Field work for rescue and relief is going on. I felt tremors at least five times but in news I have seen it said there were seven aftershocks after the first Nepal quake till Sunday. Aftershocks are decreasing in magnitude slowly,” he added.
Giving the breakup of casualties count that has been received at Patna, Akhilesh, a State Disaster Management Department official, said: Supaul – 2, Saharsa – 2, Araria – 6, Kathiyar -1 , East Champaran – 1, West Champaran – 2, Sitamarhi – 7, Shivhar – 3, Saran – 2 , Siwan – 3, Darbhanga – 6, Madhubani – 2, Lakhisarae – 3, Gaya – 1. More details are pouring in, he said.
Safety during earth quake:
– If indoors, drop to the ground. Take cover by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture. If there is no desk or table, cover the face and head with the arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
– If outdoors, move away from buildings, trees, street lights and utility wires.
– If in a moving vehicle, stop as quickly and stay in the vehicle.
– If trapped under debris, do not light a match; do not move about or kick up dust; tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.
– Have a disaster emergency kit ready.
(Source: National Disaster Management Authority, India)
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