Aftershocks felt in Nagpur people vacate buildings Mild tremors leave

By Vikas Vaidya

The earthquake that shook Nepal and parts of India, also panicked the people in Nagpur. Mild tremors were felt in several parts of Nagpur city on Saturday morning, triggering widespread panic and pulling fear-stricken people out of their homes and offices.
Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Guardian Minister of Nagpur told mediapersons that 240 people from Nagpur in five groups are trapped in Nepal. “Government is trying to establish contact with them. As per the primary report they are said to be safe and people should not feel panic. They will be rescued,” said Bawankule.
According to the highly placed sources in Seismic Broadband Observatory of Geological Survey of India, Nagpur the first tremor of 7.3 Richter scale was reported at 11.41 in the morning the epicentre of which was located 987 km from Nagpur 72 kms North-West of Kathmandu, Nepal). The latitude of which was 28.26 degrees while longitude was 84.958 degrees.
    (Contd on page 2)The aftershock was reported at 12.15 noon. It was measured 6.5 on the Richter scale (epicentre 124 kms North-West of Kathmandu). The distance of the epicentre from Nagpur was 1004 kms. The latitude of the same was 28.658 degrees and longitude was 84.666 degrees.
Assistant Registrar of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University Wasimbhai told ‘The Hitavada’ that he and others experienced tremor at Jafar Nagar. He also informed that residents at Sadar, Chhaoni and other areas were shaken for almost 30 seconds around 11.41 am forcing residents to scurry out of their homes and run for safer places. However, there was no immediate report of any loss of life or property.
Prof Zakir Khan, Sports In-charge of Anjuman College of Engineering said that near Awasthinagar, he saw people were coming out of Oasis Hospital. At first he felt that there might be some accidents. But people told him they came out as they felt tremor.
Dr Anand Pathak, noted Oncologist also said that he too received several calls about feeling tremors. Dr Avinash Banait, his son Dr Yash Banait who reside at Congress Nagar felt strong tremors, domestic utensils fell down and electricity gone.
situated behind Bhide Girls School said that the computers and other material fell on the ground because of tremor. “We came out of home and informed other persons of the area to come out. My son Dr Yash desperately want to go to Nepal to rescue people. I as a father on one hand don’t want him to go but as a human being I feel he should go. He may leave for Nepal,” said Dr Banait.
A 65-year-old Sampat Ramteke, President of Sicklecell Society of India who was working on his computer felt something. At first he felt it might be dizziness but then he realised it was earthquake tremor.
People working in the building where the office of SNDL is situated evacuated the offices. The people working in various offices in Shriram Towers, near NIT also came out of it.
‘The Hitavada’ staffers received calls from all areas of Nagpur. The tremors were reported at Jaripatka, Koradi Road, Anant Nagar, Mankapur, Jaitala, Ramdaspeth, Dhantoli, Manewada, Bajaj Nagar and almost all parts of North Nagpur.
Almost all districts of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, parts of National Capital Region, Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh felt the tremors. The alluvium tracts and mostly Indo-Gangentic area were affected.

‘Our home is safe

at Bhutan border’

Rudresh Chakravarti, a resident of Jayga situated at Bhutan border said, “Though the people at my hometown experienced a strong tremor, I was informed that my home is safe. People are used to such incidents there. But Siliguri district has been badly affected. The houses in hills of Sikkim, North West Bengal, houses have collapsed. As all the communication sources devastated, contacting the people there has become a big problem.”

CM appeals people

to avoid panic

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has prayed for strength to stand strong in such sudden calamities. Tremors felt in some parts of Maharashtra too. I am taking constant update, monitoring the situation. I urge people to take precautions, avoiding panic. I have instructed the State Disaster Management Team to be prepared for rescue operations at any location in Nepal and India if required. I have also instructed State officials to be in touch with tourists from Maharashtra in Nepal to give all the support and help.

Dr Saini claims he had predicted

Director of National Civil Defence College (NCDC) Dr G S Saini has claimed that he had predicted today’s earthquake. He also admitted that his prediction has no scientific basis He said, “I have an intuition, no scientific backing but with two thursts continuously putting pressure in the Iran-Hindukush region and the Sumarta-Japan axis in recent times, with not much happening in the middle, there may be major event waiting to happen somewhere.”

Nagpur’s eight paediatricians are safe

Nagpur’s eight paediatricians have gone to Nepal to attend Continuing Medical Education. They include Dr Rishi Lodhiya, Dr Ketan Dixit, Dr Bhupendra Chahande, Dr Mustafa Ali, Sachin Ingole, Harshad Ingole, Dr Sanjay Panjwani, Dr Shivji, Chandrapur. Dr R G Patil, President of Indian Academy of Paediatrics, Nagpur branch and Secretary Dr Girish Chard e have a talk with them. Dr Patil told The Hitavada that the doctors are safe. They have small problem at the airport as flights have been affected due to earthquake.