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Toll may touch 30,000, Gujarat pleads for rescue equipment

The toll in the killer earthquake in Gujarat was on Monday reported to be somewhere between 20,000 and 30,000. This figure was likely to skyrocket, with survival chances appearing slim for nearly 100,000 people feared to be trapped in debris at Bhuj, Anjar, Rapar, Bhachchau (all in Kutch district), Ahmedabad, Surendranagar, Morbi and other places.

Although there still was no clear picture about the approximate toll, nearly 7,000 bodies have so far been extricated from the rubble by rescue teams, even as removal of bodies in the worst-hit areas of Kutch district -- Bhachchau, Anjar and Rapar -- was yet to begin in right earnest.

With a more coherent picture available in Gujarat three days after the devastating earthquake, the state government has said it was in urgent need of self contained medical teams and kitchens and heavy equipment for cutting through the debris.

Even as the casualty figure rose, the Centre was not sure of how many people could be buried in the debris. The Gujarat government's figures, based on the number of bodies counted, were 6287 dead and 15,481 injured, Agriculture Secretary Bhaskar Barua told newspersons in New Delhi after Sunday's meeting of the Crisis Management Group.

''It's time for medium and long-term planning for reconstruction and restoration. The state and central governments and various organisations are coming forward in the reconstruction...things are looking better from the management point of view," Barua said.

Barua said the state government, having managed the initial aspect of the tragedy, now knew its requirements.

Cranes, pay loaders, fork lifts and equipment for cutting concrete slabs were urgently needed. These could be sent to Kandla port for onward despatch. While a lot of these had reached Gujarat, much more were needed.

Asked whether the Gujarat government had made a request for Rs 5 billion in assistance, Mr Barua said he was not aware of it but there would be need for funds for reconstruction.

He said two officials of his ministry were going to Bhuj on Tuesday to ensure coordination among the various agencies providing relief. He did not know whether rural areas were being neglected.

The railways, with train service now going beyond Gandhidham, would be able to move a lot of labour from outside the state for clearing the debris.

Barua said the good news was that trains were going to Kukuma, 10 km short of Bhuj, and movement of relief material would be much easier and the burden on the air-lift would be shared. Fourteen special trains from different parts were run. A 'water special' train went up to Naliya and another was being loaded at Sabarmati.

Another piece of welcome news was that power supply was more or less restored at Bhuj, and vital installations like hospitals now had electricity.

The Delhi fire service has sent three gas cutters and 22 personnel for relief work and similar help in clearing the debris was pouring in from other states. Maharashtra had pitched in with 7500 tonnes of firewood while Punjab had despatched 100,000 blankets and set up food 'langars'. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Predsh had also expressed keenness to send equipment.

Barua said the state needed self-contained teams to set up medical camps and free kitchens. With more than 1,000 doctors from outside the state working on the ground, there were more than adequate doctors but medical teams with paramedics and nurses and mobile X-ray machines and mobile operation theatres would be welcome.

If it was feasible for groups to set up tent cities that too would be welcome, the Gujarat government has indicated. Another urgent requirement in the state was clothes, Barua said.

He said 5563 rescue personnel had fanned out and another 8,000 army personnel would be deployed within 24 hours. More field ambulances were being sent.

While 92,000 blankets had already been distributed, another 57,000 were in the pipeline. Tents had gone up to 8210 and another 2450 were on the move.

UNI

The Complete Coverage

OTHER SITES WITH INFORMATION
ON THE GUJARAT EARTHQUAKE:
panjokutch.com
kutchinfo.com
ahmedabad.com

EXTERNAL LINKS
Comprehensive list of earthquake sites
The RD Killer Quake of Jan 26, 2001: Technical details
All about earthquakes in India and their impact
India Meteorological Department's earthquake reports
Disaster relief set-up in India
Major earthquakes across the world in recent times
A post-quake volunteer's unusual tryst with the departed
Earthquake News: Web site offering comprehensive news, information and features
Earthquake site map
USGS: Earthquake Hazards Program

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