30 Facts About Gujarat Earthquake

Here are 30 important facts about the Gujarat Earthquake that struck in 2001, also known as the Bhuj Earthquake. These cover key information about the disaster’s magnitude, impact, rescue efforts, and recovery:

🌍 Basic Facts (1–10)

1. The Gujarat earthquake occurred on January 26, 2001—India’s Republic Day.
2. The epicenter was near Bhuj, in the Kutch district of Gujarat.
3. The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.7 on the Richter scale (some reports say 7.6 or 7.9).
4. It struck at 08:46 AM IST.
5. The quake lasted approximately 90 seconds.
6. It was one of the deadliest earthquakes in Indian history.
7. The depth of the earthquake was about 16 km (10 miles) below the surface.
8. The quake originated along the Kachchh Mainland Fault.
9. Tremors were felt in northern India, Pakistan, and even parts of Nepal and Bangladesh.
10. It was classified as an intraplate earthquake, occurring away from a tectonic plate boundary.

🧍‍♂️ Human Impact (11–20)

11. Around 20,000 people were killed (official estimates; actual numbers may be higher).
12. More than 167,000 people were injured.
13. Over 600,000 people were left homeless.
14. Some 400 children were orphaned due to the disaster.
15. Bhuj, Anjar, Bhachau, and Rapar were among the worst-affected towns.
16. In the town of Anjar, a school parade led to the death of hundreds of children.
17. Entire villages were flattened, and thousands of homes collapsed.
18. Many traditional mud-brick houses were completely destroyed.
19. Hospitals and emergency services were overwhelmed.
20. Electricity, water supply, and communication lines were disrupted across the region.

🏗️ Infrastructure Damage (21–25)

21. Over 339,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed.
22. Public buildings, including schools, hospitals, and government offices, collapsed.
23. The Gujarat Secretariat building in Gandhinagar was damaged.
24. Transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and railways, suffered major damage.
25. The Bhuj Civil Hospital collapsed, killing patients and staff.

🤝 Relief & Recovery (26–30)

26. Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force were deployed for rescue and relief operations.
27. More than 60 countries offered aid, including the U.S., UK, Japan, and Israel.
28. The Gujarat government, along with NGOs and international organizations, led massive rebuilding efforts.
29. Disaster preparedness and earthquake-resistant construction were emphasized post-quake.
30. The tragedy became a turning point in India’s approach to disaster management, leading to the creation of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in 2005.