As India was celebrating its 52nd Republic Day, on the morning of 26 January 2001, a massive earthquake hit the western region of the state of Gujarat. The earthquake measuring 7.6 magnitude gave tremours even to the neighboring states and epicenter of the the devastating earthquake was Bhuj district in Gujarat. Because of which the disaster is also been called as Bhuj earthquake. 

As per Bhuj Area Development Authority, about 13,800 people died and 1,67,000 suffered injury. While nearly 1.2 million houses were damaged, and all the civic facilities like – schools, hospitals, health centers and public buildings suffered massive destruction. The utility infrastructures, which included water supply, electricity and telecommunications were also completely disrupted.