As you may have heard, there was an earthquake in western India, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale. There have been 83 aftershocks, some measuring up to 5.6. The hardest-hit province was Gujarat state, wherein about 3000 people are reported dead or injured.
My family lives in Gujarat.
All communications have been knocked out, and it is unsure when they will be repaired. I have no idea whether my grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins (one just over a year old) are alive, uninjured, or dead. he only members of my family here in the states are my direct family: me, my parents, and my brother. Everyone else is back in India.
Please. Some good vibes, or prayer that they come through all right…
tiggeril, I’ll be thinking of your family and everyone in the area. I hadn’t even heard about this yet - it sounds worse than the recent El Salvador one. I hope your loved ones are all right and that you get word soon. I know the waiting must be unbearable.
One of my best friends is from Gujarat, so I’ve been in a sort of low-grade worry all day (he lives in NYC, but he has friends and family over there). My vibes are being sent.
I have very, very little good karma in my life these days, tigg, but I’m sending all of it your way. We’ll miss your licking in chat until we know that your loved ones are safe and sound.
My heart goes out to you, and to all those people who have lost their loved ones, their homes and their hope during this tragedy. I pray that the hope, at least, comes back soon.
I am saying prayers, and sending all the good vibes I can to India, and to you in particular, tigs.
My dad just called. Apparently they were able to get a call through to Bombay, where my mom’s cousin lives. We THINK everyone’s ok, but nothing’s certain yet. Things are looking up, though.
A sincere, heartfelt thank you to everyone who replied, and everyone (well, most everyone) in #straightdope. It always amazes me how such a diverse group of people is always willing to give support to someone who needs it. Thank you, all.