[4] The earthquake was the strongest to hit the foothills of the Himalayas in more than ninety years.

[3] Several hundred people were injured and approximately 50,000 houses were damaged.

[8] Electricity, water supply and communication were also severely affected by the earthquake especially in the Chamoli town, Gopeshwar and Okhimath region of Rudraprayag district.

[6] According to Mike Wooldridge, correspondent for the BBC News, Chamoli suffered most damage and almost all the houses and shops built on slopes in the lower part of the town were destroyed.

The concrete-lined canals of the irrigation network in the affected region sustained some cracks.

[4] Rescue efforts were led by the Indian Army[5] and Paramilitary personnel were also called-in to aid.

[4] Locals organized a committee to make sure that those most affected receive food.