<p>High-intensity tremors due to a major earthquake in Afghanistan jolted people living and working in high-rise buildings here on Monday, as the official machinery set up to provide information in cases of emergency failed on the occasion.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Though no loss of life was reported, cracks were reported in a few buildings here.<br />"Tremors due to the earthquake were very powerful; it scared us a lot and most of us rushed out of our offices," said an executive with a company in new Gurgaon.<br /><br />After a mock earthquake drill here by Gurgaon Disaster Management Authority and National Disaster Management Authority last week, the district administration had advertised two landline numbers (0124-2322877 and 0124-2322211) for people to provide or collect information in emergency situations. <br /><br />"I wanted to know the situation after major tremors hit the city but no one attended the said phone numbers," businessman Dharmbir Yadav told IANS.<br /><br />The phone numbers are of the District Revenue and Disaster Management Office and Additional Deputy Commissioner V.P. Singh, who is also a nodal officer for the district disaster management authority.<br /><br />"My husband gave me these phone numbers a few months ago and advised me to call these up for inquiry during emergency. I tried one of the numbers but no one responded," said Poonam, a housewife.<br /><br />District Revenue and Disaster Management Officer Ajit Singh was on leave and his office staff were not aware who was to take charge in his absence.<br /><br />"Cities like Gurgaon need dedicated helpline numbers to answer queries during situations like earthquake. We are establishing a special reception centre for the purpose with helpline number 1077 soon," said Gurgaon Additional Deputy Commissioner V.P. Singh. <br /><br />Singh said there was no report of loss of life or property due to the tremors. "Gurgaon is a big city; it will take time to get a complete report," he said.<br /></p>
<p>High-intensity tremors due to a major earthquake in Afghanistan jolted people living and working in high-rise buildings here on Monday, as the official machinery set up to provide information in cases of emergency failed on the occasion.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Though no loss of life was reported, cracks were reported in a few buildings here.<br />"Tremors due to the earthquake were very powerful; it scared us a lot and most of us rushed out of our offices," said an executive with a company in new Gurgaon.<br /><br />After a mock earthquake drill here by Gurgaon Disaster Management Authority and National Disaster Management Authority last week, the district administration had advertised two landline numbers (0124-2322877 and 0124-2322211) for people to provide or collect information in emergency situations. <br /><br />"I wanted to know the situation after major tremors hit the city but no one attended the said phone numbers," businessman Dharmbir Yadav told IANS.<br /><br />The phone numbers are of the District Revenue and Disaster Management Office and Additional Deputy Commissioner V.P. Singh, who is also a nodal officer for the district disaster management authority.<br /><br />"My husband gave me these phone numbers a few months ago and advised me to call these up for inquiry during emergency. I tried one of the numbers but no one responded," said Poonam, a housewife.<br /><br />District Revenue and Disaster Management Officer Ajit Singh was on leave and his office staff were not aware who was to take charge in his absence.<br /><br />"Cities like Gurgaon need dedicated helpline numbers to answer queries during situations like earthquake. We are establishing a special reception centre for the purpose with helpline number 1077 soon," said Gurgaon Additional Deputy Commissioner V.P. Singh. <br /><br />Singh said there was no report of loss of life or property due to the tremors. "Gurgaon is a big city; it will take time to get a complete report," he said.<br /></p>