Panic struck Uttar Pradesh suffered fresh tremors driving people out on the streets as Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has ordered closure of educational institutions up to class XII for next two days and has asked district officials to extend help to people who have suffered loss during quake. Government has also postponed Madarsa Board examinations slated for April 27 and 28. Now it will be held on April 29 and 30 respectively.
Two more people died of quake related incidents in last 24 hour taking the toll to 14. One death was reported from Kushi Nagar while a 60 year old woman died after wall of her house collapsed during quake in Ballia. Other deaths are reported from Barabanki, Sant Kabir Nagar, Gorakhpur, Kanpur Dehat , Shravasti and Budaun. Yadav has asked Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan and DGP A.K. Jain to keep DMs and SSP respectively on their toes. The District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police should assess the loss of life and property caused by the earthquake and inform the Government immediately,” Chief Minister said..
Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan told The Pioneer that Government has asked DMs to set up control room. Besides, the hospitals and police have been asked to stay on high alert. A 24-hour Control Room has been set up at Uttar Pradesh Disaster Management Department here to provide all help and information round-the-clock. The numbers of the Control Room are 0522-4015703 and 0522-4915723. Met officials said that fresh tremor was felt across Uttar Pradesh at 12.49 pm. It lasted for few seconds. “The state may face more after shocks in next 36 hours. People should observe caution and if need be they should move out of the dilapidated high-rise buildings,” a Met official said.
Official said that Uttar Pradesh has experienced at least five tremors since Saturday. The panic struck people were forced to stay in parks and in other open places till late night. On Sunday also when tremors were felt people ran out for their safety. Several students who were appearing in competitive exams in the city rushed out of their examination halls leaving behind their answer sheets.
In Faizabad parapet of Shishmahal temple crashed down following which shops of the adjoining temple area were closed immediately. Reports of damage were reported from Ambedkar Nagar. New Sikandra police post in Agra too developed cracks. In Kushinagar, bordering Nepal, Governor Ram naik was forced to cut short his speech when region felt tremor. He was immediately taken away from the hall to safe area. later, he was flown back to lucknow.
People have turned to God for safety as special prayers were held at different places. A ‘deepdan’ and ‘aarti’ was organised at Dashashwamedh Ghat near Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. A special ‘aarti’ was also organised in Vishwanath Temple for peace of the departed souls. They also offered prayers to ‘Maa Ganga’ and ‘Baba Vishwanath’.
Meanwhile, extending a helping hand Uttar Pradesh government sent relief material to Nepal including water and food and machines. UP Government dispatched 21 trucks on Sunday. One of them was carrying medicines. The Chief Minister has announced an additional daily remuneration of Rs 500 for drivers of buses and ambulances involved in relief work. A medical team of 47, comprising 23 doctors and 24 para-medics from the King George Medical University has been rushed to the earthquake affected areas. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is MP from lucknow, has hailed Akhilesh Yadav for alacrity shown in extending help and sending teams to Nepal.