Ahmedabad, 20 October, 2011

Tremor was felt today at 10:48 pm in major parts of Gujarat including Saurashtra, South Gujarat and Ahmedabad.

Intensity of this shock was 5.3 on richter scale according to Gandhinagar based Seismological research institute’s data centre.

According to data centre, the epicenter has been located in Junagadh district’s Sasan Gir area with latitude and longitude 70.48 and 21.04.

Thousands of people rushed on road in the night. Some refused to go back to their flats fearing after shocks.

Tremor was seriously felt on upper floors of high rise buildings.

There are no immediate reports available of any damage to life or property as of now, but electricity supply has been disrupted in some parts including Veraval town of Saurashtra.

Ahmedabad’s Fire brigade was put on stand-by alert.

There’s news that three persons jumped from a three-floor building due to panic of tremor shock.

Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority(GSDMA) CEO Shri Banerjee speaking to DeshGujarat told that he was in Jamnagar and was in contact with mamlatdars of affected areas. He said so far there were reports arriving about cracks in some buildings.

From Sasan Gir, Shri Anshuman Sharma, DCF of lion sanctuary told DeshGujarat that he was on ground-floor in his house with family when shock of tremor was felt. “It was very forceful shock, I took my daughter outside. I felt shock twice for some seconds. Power was disrupted for some minutes, but now resumed,” Sharma added.

Updates 12:20 am

-Power is back in Veraval
-Veraval house collapsed: five persons in house unhurt.
-Some people back to their flats, but some of those in highrise are still panicked about possible aftershock. They said they saw fan shacking and doors moving, they just can’t dare to go back to their place.
-Many of those living on ground-floor have not experienced the tremor at all in Ahmedabad.
-Aftershocks are always lower in intensity compare to first shock therefore people should go back to their highrise homes without panicking, says GSDMA CEO Banerjee.
-Two after shocks of lesser intensity were felt in Sasan area.
-Earthquake was felt for 25 seconds in Junagadh.
-6 people are injured in Maliya hatina due to collapse of houses.
-50 houses are damaged in Ladudigir.