'Prediction' of another quake leads to bandh

By Manas Dasgupta

AHMEDABAD, FEB. 3. The people of Ahmedabad and other parts of Gujarat observed an ``earthquake holiday'' today to keep themselves free to flee if the earth started shaking again under their feet.

The unusual ``bandh'' was the result of ``predictions'' made by some so-called astrologers that the coming together of three planets in one line today would cause another earthquake, more severe than the one that occurred on Republic Day.

Almost all shops and even tea and paan kiosks remained closed. While the main market areas had voluntary declared closure, in some diamond-cutting units in Bapunagar locality, where over a 100 people were killed in the January 26 earthquake, workers forced unit owners to declare the day, a paid holiday.

A large number of private offices remained closed or reported very thin attendance. Even in Government offices, despite the emergency situation, attendance was less than 50 per cent. Banks were open but reported very few transactions.

The cinemas in the city and other parts of the State, except in some central Gujarat cities, had closed down after the earthquake. Schools and colleges which had declared an extended holiday till February 16 are likely to extend them for carrying out repairs of their premises.

Though all multi-storeyed and low-rise buildings wore a deserted look with people staying outside, roads too appeared deserted. Except for buses, most other private transport, including autorickshaws, stayed off the roads. People removed their vehicles from parking lots under the buildings and parked them outside, ready to speed away.

They spent last night around a fire, with full stock of snacks and tea to stay awake, not only because they did not want another quake to catch them napping but also to guard against the increasing incidents of theft.

Barely after the night-watchers went to sleep in the morning, they were jolted out of their slumber with a tremor at 8.35 a.m. measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale. The panicky people rushed out and many refused to return to their homes to perform their morning chores. In most households, the kitchen was closed for the day, with people taking their meals in community kitchens opened by many voluntary organisations or in hotels.

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Section  : National
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