178 Deaths in morbi, relief work yet to begin

In the recent quake that devastated several town across the state, 178 deaths have been reported from Morbi taluka in the past two days. Supply of food and essential services to the quake effected people is yet to begin.

Residents not only struggle to survive, but also fight conditions to regain physchological composure. The aftershocks, which have been continuos, further spread panic among the people.

According to sources in the district administration, 178 people including children and women have been crushed to death under the debris. Officials say, maximum people have been killed at the Gujarat Housing Board quarters located in Darbar Garh village.

Bureaucrats including Union defense minister George Fernandes, chief minister Keshubhai Patel and district collector A.K. Mukim have visited the affected areas but residents in different villages say that no proper help has been provided by the government.

Mr A.K. Mukim told The Asian Age that the rural belt of the district is the most affected and rescue work would be focused there initially. He said, "We are concentrating on the rural belt since devastation has occurred on a higher scale.

We have already deployed 14 bulldozers, and 30 water tanks. We are also trying to restore electricity and communication services."

The worst affected area is Darbar Garh village, 80 people have been reportedly been killed on January 26 the day the earthquake struck. Some of the villagers managed to come out in time and saved themselves.
Rashmin bhai and his family hailing from Bhachau, managed to save themselves. He said, "Somehow we managed to leave Bhachau. Nothing has remained and we are living in Morbi with some relatives."
The people are in an emotional state of not only shock, and fear, but the sorrow of loosing near and dear ones is too much to bear. Rashminbhai with tears in his eyes says, "I never knew that in a day I would lose both my children and my brother.

They were lost in the aftershock, which occurred on Saturday." However, Rashmin’s parents and wife have been removed from the debris. Residents of the GHB said that there are about 500 flats and three blocks, which have been completely destroyed.

For the Mehta family living in Darbar Garh it was a disastrous day. A survivor said, "On January 24 a family member of the Mehta’s expired. Relatives from different places had gathered to attend the final rites.

On the day of the quake many people managed to leave their house, but the Mehta’s were not lucky, and 17 people of the family died, when a building collapsed on them.

For those injured in the earthquake, the situation is worst. The only Civil Hospital in Morbi has been severely damaged during the tremors.

The hospital administration could use only three operation theatres to administer first aid to those injured. However, it is impossible for doctors to conduct any operations, and patients are sent to Rajkot. According to officials at Civil Hospital.

In another incident two girls of the Dhirji engineering college were killed while they were trying to run out side the college premises. A concrete slab fell on them and they were killed on the spot.

Republished from Asian age