India, Nepal and Tibet Earthquake – 19/09/2011
The Earthquake
On the 19th of September an earthquake of magnitude 6.9 hit north east India, Nepal and Tibet. It started at 6.10pm local time and the main earthquake was followed by 2 larger aftershocks. Across the whole of the area affected there were over 90 people killed.
The epicentre was in the Sikkim State of India, where 50 people were killed. This toll could rise due to rains causing landslides in the area. In Kathmandu, India, at the site of the British Embassy, a wall collapsed killing three people.
Across the State of Sikkim 1,000 houses have collapsed and over 10,000 are damaged. Therefore, many residents have been forced to spend many nights on the street as their houses are unsafe to inhabit. Across India, telephone lines have been knocked down and in the capital of State Sikkim, there was a power cut throughout the night.
Response to the Earthquake
Thick cloud and heavy rain in the region have triggered landslides, which have blocked major access roads such as high mountain passes. This has made it difficult for rescue workers to reach those who have been injured. As a result of the thick cloud the Indian Military helicopters have been unable to take off. There have been 6,000 troops deployed in Sikkim to clear the rubble from landslides in order to reach the villages which have been cut off. They’ve been using explosives to get rid of the larger pieces of rubble to help them reach those in need. About 3 days after the first earthquake there was a break in the weather, allowing helicopters to drop off food supplies and transport medical equipment to cut of villages. As over 100,000 homes have been affected, a rescue camp has been set up with space for 2,500 relief camps to provide people with a form of basic shelter.
For more information visit: earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0005wg6.php#maps
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| People walking over a crack in Gangtok, India |
