An earthquake measuring 7.9 on Richter scale, which epicentered in Nepal, rattled the entire Uttar Pradesh, resulting in death of 10 people besides leaving about three dozen injured on Saturday morning.
While panic-stricken people in several parts of the State remained on roads all through the day, the State Government directed all the district authorities, particularly those on the Indo-Nepal border, to take necessary measures to forward relief to the victims. Chief Minister, Akhilesh Yadav apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the situation in the State.
In Gorakhpur, people braved the blazing sun rather than staying inside. Anticipating more shocks, Met office director, JP Gupta, issued alert in the State. The State Government has also conveyed Nepal of all possible help in view of huge human and property loss. Several international flights on way to Nepal have been diverted to airports at lucknow, Varanasi, Patna and Delhi as the Tribhuvan Airport in Nepal has been damaged.
In Barabanki, Seema (42) and her daughter Shanti (6), were killed when the roof of their house collapsed. Over 11 people were also injured in the incident.
In Shivli locality of Kanpur Dehat, 10-year-old Aman Kumar, a resident of Rajpur, was killed after he was buried under the debris. A 12-year-old boy in Shrawasti district died and one other was injured.
A report of death of a 15-year-old girl also came from Ikauna locality of Shravasti where a wall collapsed over the her. In Mehdaval area of Santkabirnagar, situated on the Indo-Nepal border, a 9-year-old girl was buried alive in wall collapse while two others were critically injured.
Emergency wards of various Government hospitals, including King George Medical University here, have been evacuated for emergency casualties. The telecom services were also affected. In the meantime, the State Government has ordered to shut all educational institutes.
Akhilesh Yadav apprised the Centre of the measures taken to ensure the safety of the residents. The State Government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs7 lakh to the kin of the deceased, Rs50,000 to those who were critically injured and Rs20,000 to those who received minor injuries.