India: Earthquake - Aug 1988
Disaster description
A strong earthquake measuring 6.7 on the richter scale struck India's Bihar state and eastern Nepal, at 4.39 am (Indian Standard Time) on 21 august 1988 (corresponding to 23.09 hrs GMT, 20 august 1988). The epicentre was located 80 kms north of Dharbhanga, Bihar state, on the Indo-Nepal border. The quake and aftershocks were also felt in the north eastern Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal as well as Sikkim and Bangladesh. it was the strongest quake in the sub-himalayan terrain on the Indo-Nepal border since the one in 1934. (UN DHA, 22 Aug 1988)
Several aftershocks were felt in Bihar since the August 21 earthquake which did not cause additional damage or injuries. The confirmed official death toll rose to more than 200 as of 24 august 1988. Unofficial sources still put figure considerably higher. (UN DHA, 30 Aug 1988)
It is estimated that out of a population of 7.7 million in the three districts severely affected by the quake, some 30,000 families require emergency assistance through the provision of rice, clothing, utensils, building materials and other relief goods available in country. The Indian Red Cross is establishing a relief assistance programme for 5,000 families. (UN DHA, 30 Aug 1988)