Quake claims 50 lives in Bihar
Janjivan Bureau
Patna: More than fifty people lost their life in Bihar due to major earthquake of 7.9 magnitude on Richter scale, which had its epicentre at Pokhra in Nepal, 84km from Kathmandu, rocked the state on Saturday.
People ran helter-skelter for safety as the city experienced tremor around 11.40am. Life almost came to a standstill from 11.40am to 3pm as people abandoned their houses and offices to take shelter in open places. Most of the open places like parks etc were full of people, who preferred to stay outdoors following the fears of aftershocks.
Chief minister Nitish Kumar, who cut short his New Delhi visit to return to Patna, said at least 25 people, including two children, were killed in Bihar as buildings collapsed in different parts of the state following the quake. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Nitish on phone and assured all help to the state. However, the state disaster management department updated the toll figure to 30 late evening.
Two children of the same family died in Bhagalpur. Kishanganj, Araria, Sheohar, and Samastipur reported one death each. Supaul reported two deaths. Darbhanga reported three deaths following house collapse and four deaths were reported from Sitamarhi and East Champaran also, said state disaster management department special secretary Aniruddh Kumar. In Munger, 14 persons were injured, while six people died of heart attack and road accidents. Unofficial reports, however, put the toll at 37.
Several houses have developed cracks in Supaul, Gaya, Bhagalpur and Purnia districts. Cracks developed in the Gaya museum wall. However, the Mahabodhi shrine remains intact, much to the relief of Gayaites.
State disaster management department’s principal secretary Vyasji said NDRF teams have been rushed to four districts — Supaul, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur and Gopalganj. In several other districts like Purnia, Khagaria, Motihari etc, SDRF teams have been dispatched to meet any exigency.
