INDIA NEWS

HIGH COMMISSION OF INDIA, LONDON

PRESS RELEASE JANUARY 29, 2001

GUJARAT EARTHQUAKE UPDATE

 Disaster and Damage

• The extent of devastation and human tragedy as a result of the earthquake, which struck parts of India on the morning of Friday, 26 January 2001, is still far from clear. More than 6000 bodies had been counted by noon in India. However, with more bodies being recovered from under the debris, the toll could rise to 20,000 dead and 50,000 injured.
  
• The scale of the disaster can be gauged by the fact that the severly afflicted state of Gujarat has an area more than 80%, and population more than 75% of the UK.
  
• More than 250 after-shocks have been recorded, many above 4 and 5 on Richter scale.
  
• Bangalore and Mumbai experienced tremors in the early hours of today. However, so far there is no report of casualty or damage to property as a result of these.
  
• Though most major industrial establishments in Gujarat withstood the quake, some did suffer damage. Most of this is being attended to. Indian Navy has taken over the management of Kandla Port which had suffered some damage. The small scale and cottage industries, on the other hand, have suffered the most.
  
• Some estimates put the extent of damage at more than Rs. 20,000 crores (approx US$ 5 billion). However, it is too early to arrive at an exact figure.

• Rescue teams consisting of more than 8500 army and para-military personnel, 14 sniffer dogs already deployed and more than 800 persons on way to deployment. Aircraft and helicopters from the Armed Forces made innumerable sorties carrying relief workers and material.
  
• Search and rescue teams sent by countries including the UK, Germany, Russia, Japan and Switzerland have been able to save several lives.
  
• Debris clearing equipment, recovery vehicles, earthmovers and tons of rescue equipment deployed. This includes the equipment provided by industrial establishments and private contractors and builders in the region.
  
• Close to 1000 medical personnel deployed and more are arriving, including aboard special trains. Beds, mobile clinics and equipment made available by armed forces. Two ships belonging to Indian Navy, anchored at Kandla, are being used to treat patients and a third is to carry those with more serious injuries to Mumbai.
  
• Close to 150,000 blankets distributed or being distributed
  
• 1.10 lakh MT food grains being released by the Government for the affected areas.
  
• 11.1 tonnes of food packets, and 5.5 MT of bread sent to Bhuj by Food Corporation of India on 28^th January.
  
• 8210 tents set up and about 2500 more on way.

• Indian Railways running special trains for evacuation of injured persons and carrying relief supplies. Railway service restored and extended upto about 100 kms. from Bhuj. Rail route upto Gandhidham opened by the evening of 29 January.
  
• C-DOT exchanges functional at Bhuj and Gandhidham and more C-DOT exchanges being put up. Additional telecom personnel and equipment deployed and more being sent.
  
• Power restored to more than half of the usual requirement. Portable generator sets deployed and being brought in.
  
• The requirement of high speed diesel, petrol and kerosene are being made from Kandla.

• Several important decisions for mobilizing financial resources for the relief work were taken at a meeting convened by the Prime Minister and attended by the Home Minister, the Finance Minister and the Commerce and Industry Minister on the evening of 28 January.
  
• Government to seek US$ 1 billion aid from World Bank and US$ 500 million from ADB.
  
• The Reserve Bank of India has been instructed to allow the Gujarat Government to draw any amount it feels necessary for relief work.
  
• National Housing Bank has allocated Rs. 5000 millions for reconstruction in the State.
  
• Hundred per cent tax exemptions for contributions made to any fund for relief and reconstruction under section 80G of the Income Tax Act. Contributions made by corporate houses will also be exempt.
  
• Air India instructed to carry relief supplies from abroad free of charge. Customs and Excise Duty Exemption for commodities sent as relief material.
  
• The Life Insurance Corporation and the General Insurance Corporation have been instructed to settle damage claims immediately and smoothly.
  
• PM said that plans being drafted for rehabilitation and restoration in the state.
  
• The Government may consider mobilizing additional resources by levying surcharge on some taxes, both individual and corporate. This has elicited favourable reaction from various organizations representing Indian industrial sector, such as the Confederation of Indian Industries.

• Medical and other relief supplies have been offered by the Governments of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana. The Govt. of Rajasthan has also rendered financial assistance.

• Prime Minister visited Gujarat today.
  
• The next review of the situation in a high-level Cabinet meeting by PM on Wednesday.

• The Government and people of India are touched by the spontaneous and generous offers of support from the international community. Apart from messages of support pouring in from all corners of the world, the specific assistance includes:-

• Rescue and search teams, as well as medicines and medical equipment sent by the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Russia, Hungary, Japan, Turkey, Oman and Algiers. Besides, similar assistance from Slovak Republic, Republic of Korea and Malaysia has also been offered/is on its way.
  
• Offers/pledges of financial aid/assistance in various forms have come from the UK (£4.5 million), Ireland (one million Irish pounds), Norway ($1.11 million), USA ($1 million besides relief supplies including 110 tons of food and other relief material) and Japan (US$ 1 million).
  
• China has offered to send a team of seismological experts.

• The disaster has evoked spontaneous cooperation and help from people from all walks of life in India. People are helping with whatever they can – financial and material resources, providing shelter and food to the homeless, offering their own services as volunteers.
  
• Private sector bodies including large corporate sector entities have already adopted some of the worst affected areas for relief and rehabilitation. Many industrial units voluntarily provided necessary equipment for rescue and cutting.
  
• Our Missions abroad have been inundated by offers of financial and material donations for disaster relief. Efforts are being made to facilitate and coordinate these contributions very vital to relief work.
  
• The Indian Community in UK is gearing itself for a major relief effort.

Press Release No.11/2001

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