The Indian Gujarat Earthquake 26 January 2001 Case Study Click on the following links for further information about this case study: Teacher's Notes Student Activities The Earthquake On 26 January 2001 an earthquake registering 7.9 on the Richter scale devastated the Indian state of Gujurat. It was the second largest recorded earthquake in India, the largest being in 1737, and was the worst natural disaster in India in more than 50 years. The earthquake struck at approximately 8.46am local time, its epicentre located 80 kilometres north-east of the city of Bhuj (see Figure 1). The place in the earth's crust where an earthquake occurs is known as the focus. The epicentre of an earthquake is the place directly above the focus. The shock waves or tremors from the Gujurat earthquake lasted about two minutes, followed by aftershocks for more than a month. Figure 1 - Map showing the Gujarat earthquake epicentre The Impact The scale of the impact of the earthquake is almost impossible to comprehend. The shock or seismic waves spread out in a 700 kilometre circumference from the epicentre, and within this area the devastation was immense. There were more than 20,000 deaths and 167,000 people injured. Four districts of Gujurat lay in ruin and altogether, 21 districts were affected. Around 300,000 families and at least 3 million children aged 14 and under were affected. Around 600,000 people were left homeless. In the city of Bhuj, more than 3,000 inhabitants of the city lost their lives, the main hospital was crushed and close to 90% of the buildings was destroyed. Nothing was left of the town of Bhachau. The town resembled a quarry. Few structures remained standing. Figure 2 - Devastation in Bhuj, near the epicentre   There was significant damage to infrastructure with facilities such as hospitals, schools, electric power and water systems, bridges and roads damaged or destroyed. The extent of the damage can be seen in Table 1. Table 1 - Damage to Utilities and Transport Systems The earthquake caused significant damage to utilities and transport systems. The following summary indicates the scale of the damage. Resource Details Railways Damage to track between Viramgam to Gandhidam; Gandhidham to Bhuj; Viramgam to Okha; and Palanpur to Gandhidam. Heavy damage to various station buildings, station cabins, bridges, residential quarters and signalling systems. Rail links as far as Bhuj have been restored. Roads 650 kilometres of national highways damaged, 100 kilometres severely. National highways are now traffic-worthy. Bridges Many minor and major bridges damaged including the Syurajbari bridge at Bachau. Most main road bridges have been repaired and are capable of accepting limited weight traffic. Ports Berths 1-5 at Kandla Port suffered major structural damage. Telecommunications 147 exchanges, 82,000 lines and optical fibre systems damaged. All exchanges and at least 40,000 lines have been restored. Power 45 sub-stations and power supply to 50% of feeders in Kutch damaged. Power supply to nine towns & 925 villages affected. All substations and 225 feeders have been restored and there is now power to all villages in Kutch. Water Water supply to 18 towns and 1340 villages damaged or destroyed. Piped water restored to 9 towns and 480 villages. Tube wells are gradually being restored. Fuel Jamnager refinery shutdown 26 January by power failure. Crude oil and product pipelines were shut down for checking. Crude oil pipeline for one day, product pipelines for nine days. Availability of product not affected as alternative arrangements have been made. Schools Kutch District had 1359 primary schools with 5168 schoolrooms. Of these, 992 schools and 4179 classrooms were destroyed. There were 38 secondary schools of which six were destroyed, 14 suffered heavy damage and 12 were partially damaged. Of 128 non-government schools, nine were destroyed, 11 suffered heavy damage and 99 were partially damaged. Source: ReliefWeb, OCHA http://www.reliefweb.int The Local Response to the Crisis The response within India was immediate. The national and state governments quickly provided assistance in many forms including cash, medical supplies, communications teams, shelters, food, clothing, transport and relief workers (see Figure 3). There are more than 185 non-government organisations (NGOs), mostly Indian charities, which undertake earthquake-related activities. Figure 3 - Temporary shelter at Lodai The International Response Search and Rescue teams soon arrived from Switzerland, United Kingdom, Russia and Turkey to find and rescue survivors buried under debris. Relief teams and supplies soon followed from 38 countries as well as United Nations agencies and many international NGOs such as the Red Cross. Figure 4 - Red Cross at Chotadinara Australia's Response The Australian Government committed A$2.5 million to relief organisations working in Gujurat. The United Nations organisation UNICEF received A$1 million while the following groups each received A$500,000: The Australian Red Cross - for logistical support, and temporary shelter materials in the form of plastic sheeting and tarpaulins Tear Australia - for provision of safe drinking water, basic sanitation, essential medicines and trauma counselling Community Aid Abroad/Oxfam - for provision of immediate food, drinking water and medical supplies. Many other Australian NGOs also provided funds, materials and personnel. One relief worker in Gujarat was very positive about the Australian efforts: 'The money that's coming in is making a difference. It's being allocated for building materials to assist the earthquake victims. For example, for people who have lost their homes or had their houses damaged we are able to provide tarpaulins, we are able to provide water containers, we are able to provide kitchen cooking sets. We are making a difference'. Figure 5 - The remains of Bhachau   Trauma is one of the greatest threats to Gujurat's revival. The Australian Government, through its grant to Oxfam/ Community Aid Abroad, funds a local NGO called Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA). The women in this organisation provide food and essential items as well as counsel earthquake victims. Figure 6 - Social worker at Dhamadaka The Future It is estimated that the rebuilding and rehabilitation work in Gujarat will take at least three years. International assistance such as that being provided through the financial resources of the Australian Government, and assistance from local and international NGOs, is essential in helping individuals and communities recovering and reclaiming their lives from disasters such as the Gujarat earthquake.   Top © Commonwealth of Australia