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Defence forces gear up to provide relief

Aparajita Saha in Bombay

The defence forces are mobilising resources to provide relief to what is being termed as the worst earthquake in Indian history.

A medical team of 11 naval personnel from Bombay is in Jamnagar to augment the resources at the Military Hospital there. An additional 75 personnel (including civil doctors) have already left for Jamnagar and Bhuj last week.

A press release issued by the Ministry of Defence stated that INS Nirdeshak and the INS Jamuna have been temporarily converted to assume the secondary role of hospitals at Kandla port. More than 200 injured people were airlifted and admitted to the Pune Military Hospital.

Helicopters from both ships and two additional helicopters from Bombay are deployed for relief operations. Apart from these, 40 aircraft belonging to the India Air Force, and over 5,000 army personnel are also present in the quake-hit areas.

INS Nirdeshak, a survey ship, also facilitated the reopening of the Kandla port by 1430 hours on January 27.

About 30 tons of rations, medical stores, 400 blankets and other relief material have been sent by the navy to Kandla on four ships (INS Nirdeshak, INS Jamuna, INS Ganga and INS Teer) since January 26. A naval liaison cell has been established at Kandla for the further dispatch of these items to affected areas. Relief supplies from the government of Maharashtra were dispatched on INS Himgiri on January 28.

A team of VSNL/ DOT staffers has also been assigned to establish communication centres in the affected areas. Power and communication restoration measures are also being undertaken at Porbandar and Okha.

Commenting on the relief measures, Major C K Singh, Ministry of Defence spokesman, said, "All efforts are being made by the army, navy and the air force to assist in whatever way they can in the affected regions. Special units are being set up and reports are coming in of the extent of damage and the corresponding measures required."

The Complete Coverage

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