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What happened during the 2001 Bhuj earthquake?
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The 2001 Bhuj earthquake was a catastrophic event that struck the Indian state of Gujarat on January 26, 2001, coinciding with Indiaβs Republic Day celebrations.1
Centered near the town of Bhuj, the earthquake reached a moment magnitude of 7.7. The disaster had devastating humanitarian and structural consequences:1
- Casualties: More than 20,000 people were killed, and over 150,000 were injured.1
- Displacement: Hundreds of thousands of individuals were left homeless, with many remaining in makeshift shelters a year after the event.1
- Infrastructure: More than one million buildings were destroyed or damaged.1
- Economic Impact: A large majority of local crops were ruined, severely impacting the region's agricultural stability.1
The tremors were felt extensively across northwestern India and parts of Pakistan.1