GUWAHATI, Apr 25 � Following reports of cracks and minor damage at many highrises and other structures in the city due to the devastating earthquake today, which had its epicentre in Nepal, the Kamrup Metro district administration has formed a special team to inspect all such buildings and check damage.
The quake also resulted in panic among the people in the city, especially schoolchildren, who ran out of their classrooms. Similar scenes were witnessed in highrise apartment buildings and other tall structures.
Meanwhile, Kamrup Metro Deputy Commissioner Dr M Angamuthu said the team has been constituted with officials from the PWD, GMDA, magistrates and other departments.
�It will check the reported damage. There have been reports about tall structures and apartments suffering minor cracks and minor damage. Besides, there have also been reports about mobile towers suffering some damage. The team will check all this,� Dr Angamuthu said.
The DC added that there have been no reports of any major damage to any property from across the city.
Regarding complaints by residents of some apartment complexes regarding cracks having developed on account of use of below standard material by builders who have not adhered to safety norms, Angamuthu said, �GMDA norms have to be adhered to. If any builder is found to have not adhered to the standards prescribed, then strict action will be taken against such party.�
The district administration has designated a nodal officer for relief and rescue of missing persons in Nepal. The responsibility has been given to Additional DC Rajib Prakash Barua. People can share information about earthquake-related incidents with Barua at 9435014676.
Assamese in Nepal: Dr Angamuthu said that the district administration is in touch with the Central Government regarding the safety and security of people from Guwahati who have gone to Nepal for tourism, pilgrimage or other purposes.
He said a team of mountaineers from the State had recently gone for an expedition to Mt Everest, while some other persons from Guwahati are in the Himalayan nation for vacation.
�We are in constant touch with the Central Government and we are also checking with the NDRF which has already sent a team to Nepal for rescue and relief,� said the DC.
He said the district administration has so far not been able to ascertain the exact number of people from Guwahati who are stranded in Nepal following today�s devastation.
Meanwhile, a group of around 40-50 pilgrims from the city are reportedly stranded in Nepal. The pilgrims had reportedly left the city a few days ago and gone to Nepal to visit the Pashupatinath Temple and other religious places.
The pilgrims hailed from Hengrabari, Chandmari, Anil Nagar and other localities of the city.
Relatives told media persons that two-three pilgrims have suffered injuries and have been admitted to hospital.
Breakdown of mobile services in Nepal has resulted in lack of realtime communication.
Meanwhile, all members of the Assam mountaineering team, which was on an expedition to Mt Everest, are safe and they have come down from the Base Camp this afternoon, as per reports reaching the city.
Many people in the city also complained of dizziness during the quake.
