Thursday, March 10, 2011

Christchurch three weeks later.

I was asked how things were in Christchurch after the major earthquake Feb, on 22nd.
Things are not really good there, aftershocks continue, there is talk of moving whole suburbs away to a new location! As many as 10,000 homes have been badly damaged, most of central Christchurch business are too and may never re open. Death toll is about 200, not all can be identified, many are foreign nationals, mainly Japanese children who were in a language school.
Electric power has been restored to most of the city, but, water and sewerage has not been restored, thousands are using portable toilets, and living in tent villages, fine for now but won't be so fine in winter.

One bit of good news; there were no bodies found in the Cathedral, it was thought 20 people would be found there, but it is a minor miracle is that no one died in Gods House. But it. is so badly damaged it may have to be demolished and replaced entirely.
Another wonderful thing is that a gentleman in England has donated many millions of dollars to rebuild!
Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts.

7 comments:

Barb said...

Glennis, I can see this beautiful city in my mind's eye - one of my favorite in NZ. I hope it can be rebuilt. But, what a bad time for it to happen so close to your cold season.

Marja said...

That's good isn't it that we get our cathedral back. I just can't imagen yet how much CHristchurch has and will change

İlhami Uyar said...

Dear Glennis,I wish all negativity end as soon as possible.Best regards.

claude said...

Thanks for those news, Glennis. Actually I am hearing bad news about a earthquake in Japan. I wish NZ the best now.

Annie Jeffries said...

Hello Glinnis. I'm visiting from Marja's blog. Have been following your earthquake ordeal since last year. My prayers are with you all.

Pooch Purple Reign said...

all the best to those in your country ... as the world now turns to pray for japan.
thanks for the update glennis
~laura

L. D. said...

Yes, I knew it could not be good there with the photos I have seen on TV news. I can't imagine how they can even begin to restore such destruction.