ReliefWeb

A devastating earthquake hit India this morning, killing more than 1,000 (based on news reports) as it toppled buildings and houses. The quake, measuring 6.9 on the Richter Scale and epicentered around 20 km north-east of Bhuj in Gujarat, occurred at 08:46 IST (Indian Standard Time) according to the Indian Seismological Department.

The quake struck as many cities were celebrating India's 51st Republic Day. The tremble caused high-rise buildings to shake from New Delhi to Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkutta. Reports of aftershocks came in from around the country.

Prime Minister Vajpayee convened an emergency Cabinet meeting to assess the situation arising out of the powerful earthquake. Union Home Minister L. K. Advani is in Ahmedabad to carry out the relief efforts in earthquake struck areas. In New Delhi, Cabinet Secretary T. R. Prasad, who heads the disaster management group, coordinating the emergency relief measures for Gujarat.

Affected Districts

Affected areas in Gujarat: Bhuj, Kutch, Surat, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Rajkot district, Surendranagar district, Jamnagar and Jodia.

Other Affected Regions

Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Panaji, Pondicherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. Also affected were neighboring countries like Pakistan, Nepal and China.

Prime Minister's National Relief Fund

Government of India and Embassy of India continue to receive a number of offers for contributions to the earthquake relief activities in Gujarat, India. Those who wish to make voluntary contributions may do so by sending checks in dollars or rupees to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.

Checks/Money Orders should be drawn in favor of "Prime Minister's National Relief Fund" can be sent to any one of the following addresses.

Prime Minister's National Relief Fund
Embassy of India
Attn: Head of Chancery
2107 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008

Wire Transfer Information:

Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (Riggs Bank, Washington, DC)
Account Number - 08115910
Route Number - 054000030

(OR)

Prime Minister's National Relief Fund
Prime Minister's Office
South Block, New Delhi 110011
India

Contact Information

Keshubhai Patel (Chief Minister)
91+2712-(32611) to 32619
91+2712-21421 & 26349
91+2712-22275 & 20971
Fax: 91+2712-22901 & 27303

Haren Pandya (Home Minister, State)
91+2712-35526 & 38082

L.N.S. Mukundan (Chief Secretary)
91+2712-20372

P.K. Laheri (Additional Secretary)
91+2712-32611

District Collector Office

Ahmedabad
91+(79)-5508989, 5508890, 5508077

Baroda
91+(265) 433000

Surat
91+(261) 471121

Rajkot
91+(281) 73900

Bhavnagar
91+(278) 428822

Jamnagar
91+(288) 555869

Bhuj
91+(2832) 50020

Police Control Room (State)
91+(2712) 46328

Police Control Room (Ahmedabad)
91+(79) 5630100, 5630300

Police Commissioner Office

Ahmedabad
91+(79) 5633636

Baroda
91+(265) 431414

Surat
91+(261) 472106

Rajkot
91+(281) 459888

State Resident Commissioner of Gujarat in New Delhi
Mr. Christi Fernandez, A-6, State Emporium
Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi. Tel: +91-11-3732413
Fax: +91-11-3732482

Online Telephone Directory (STD codes & Telephone numbers)

Relief efforts by non-governmental organizations

India Development and Relief Fund (http://www.idrf.org)

India Development and Relief Fund (IDRF) has donated $20,000 for relief to the victims of Gujarat earthquake. Donations to IDRF are tax exempted in the United States (Tax exempt ID: 52-1555563), and a receipt will be mailed to donors. Make checks payable to IDRF, and mail it to the following address:

IDRF
Attention: Nagaraj Patil
1580 Hollenbeck Ave., Apt #4
Sunnyvale, CA-94087 USA.

In the memo, please mention "Gujarat Earthquake Relief." For more information contact: Vijay Shrivastava at (770) 394 5031

AmeriCares
161 Cherry Street,
New Canaan, CT 06840
Contact: Elizabeth Griffin at 1-800-486-4357

American Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org)

Donors wishing to designate their gifts to India should make checks payable to the American Red Cross--International Response Fund and earmarked for India Earthquake Fund in the memo section of the check or an accompanying letter, should specify India Earthquake Fund.

Donor can use a secure online credit card donation services or you may send your donation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013.

Prime Minister's condolence message for the bereaved families of the Gujarat

I am deeply pained and distressed to know about the devastating earthquake that rocked Gujarat this morning, causing the loss of several hundred lives and extensive damage to private and public property. The earthquake has also caused destruction in some other States.

I join all my countrymen in conveying our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and expressing our solidarity with the suffering people in all the earthquake-hit areas. As has been our proud tradition in all such times of natural calamity, it is the duty of one and all to come to the aid of our brethren in Gujarat and other quake-affected areas.

I urge all the concerned agencies of the Central and State Government to begin rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations on a war footing. I also appeal to ordinary citizens, charitable institutions and voluntary organisations to coordinate with government agencies in dealing with this challenge effectively.

Statement by U.S. President Bush

January 26, 2001

I am saddened by the news of the tragic earthquake centered in India's Gujarat state this morning. I extend my condolences and those of the American people to the families of the many victims in the cities and villages of Gujarat and elsewhere. Earthquakes know no political boundaries: I send condolences to the people affected in neighboring Pakistan as well. We stand ready to assist as needed and as desired by the governments.