1993 Latur Earthquake

The Latur earthquake struck India at 03:56 local time (UTC + 04:30) on September 30, 1993. The main area affected was the Maharashtra State in Western India. The earthquake primarily affected the districts of Latur and Osmanabad including Ausa block of Latur and Umerga of Osmanabd. Total 52 villages were demolished.It was an intraplate earthquake. It measured 7.4 on the Richter Scale, and approximately 20,000 people died, whilst another 30,000 were injured. The earthquake's focus was around 12 km deep – relatively shallow causing shock waves to cause more damage.

Because India does not lie on a plate boundary there was some debate as to what caused the earthquake. One suggestion is the existence of fault webs. The Indian sub-continent crumples as it pushes against Asia and pressure is released. It is possible that this pressure is released along fault lines. Another argument is that reservoir construction along the Terna was responsible for increasing pressure on fault lines.

Relief Efforts:

Several foreign and local donors reacted immediately to the tragedy by sending relief teams and rescue workers. The first convoy of over 120 trucks laden with relief material such as tents, blankets, food and clothing, medical supplies and temporary shelters given by international donors departed from Mumbai at around 10am on October 2, 1993. The Indian Army, State Reserve Police Force, Central Reserve Police Force and other law enforcement agencies had rushed their personnel almost immediately after the quake, assuming there would be a greater number of casualties.

Also among the first to respond were Amateur Radio operators from Mumbai and Hyderabad, who had rushed to Omerga, a town near Latur from where all quake hit areas could be accessed by road. The Mumbai-based JNA Wireless Association undertook a special mission. With four-wheel drive vehicles given for the purpose by Mahindra and Mahindra, a group of eight Mumbai based radio hams escorted the supplies convoy from Mumbai to Omerga. Later, these ham radio operators split into four groups and visited scores of ravaged villages, relaying vital information such as possible outbreak of disease, food supply situation and devastation of the area visited to a control station set up in Omerga. During the 10-day field trip, these radio hams successfully assisted disaster mitigation efforts undertaken by the Indian government and private aid agencies.

Killari, where the epicenter of the quake is believed to be located, had a large crater, which remains in place to date.