Panic struck the citizens here on Saturday after mild tremors were felt in the State Capital. Those who were in the offices vacated their places quickly, while those who were in their houses remained there unaware of the precautionary measures.
During the earthquake tremors, water bottles and computer tables in the Secretariat were witnessed shaking, a few people reported dizziness and the hooter went off creating panic among the people present at the Secretariat and after receiving call from Mantralaya, the building was vacated.
All the employees rushed to reach safe places; few used lifts while others chose to use staircases. Stampede was witnessed in which several people fell. The employees of three building Satpura, Vindhyachal and Mantralaya vacated their offices and gathered near the buildings.
Police personnel guarding the buildings stopped visitors from entering the buildings and everyone including the employees gathered outside. The employees were seen taking information of their families and providing information of their well being.
Cracks were visible in Satpura building after the earthquake. The employees were afraid to enter the building after the lunch and several left for the day. Employees at Satpura were angry over the absence of hooter in the building, which could raise alarm at the time of emergencies.
Other problems witnessed by the employees in escaping the building was the discarded furniture in the corridors and in the alleyways. Health employee leader laxmi Narayan Sharma has raised demand for making better arrangements for disaster management in the three buildings.
A bank employee Amit Sarwate said that the bank was evacuated after light jerks were felt by the employees at the second floor of the bank.
Besides, at several schools, the students reported that they felt that their benches and tables were shaking. At first they complained that their classmates were behind the action, but later, the school management acted swiftly and vacated the school buildings.
Rahul Raikwar, a courier company employee said that while carrying delivery goods to the weighing machine, dizziness was felt, but he thought that it was due to hot and humid weather conditions. Ashoka Garden resident Anjum Khan, a homemaker, said that she felt that the cot has been shaking.