Published on: 26 Apr 2015 @ 13:12
A big jolt also felt today in Nepal and most part of north India at 12. 43 IST. Tremors felt in Punjab, Delhi, MP, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Assam, Bihar
The death toll in Nepal from the devastating earthquake has crossed over 2000 today as rescue efforts intensified, with international teams including from India sifting through tonnes of rubble in search of survivors in the Himalayan nation’s worst temblor in over 80 years. Fresh after shocks jolted Nepal and adjoining areas, as the country declared a state of emergency in the wake of the disaster caused by a powerful 7.9-magnitude earthquake and over a dozen aftershocks that hit the country yesterday.
The earthquake and the after shocks left behind a trail of death and destruction, flattening houses and buildings, including the iconic Dharhara tower and the landmark Darbar Square in the heart of the capital, trapping scores of people. Thousands of people spent last night in the open in chilly weather, anticipating more after shocks.
Officially death toll touched 1,911 while the number of injured reached 4,627 till this morning, according to the Home Ministry. Around 1,000 people are reported killed in the Kathmandu Valley alone. Officials fear the death toll could rise as desperate search for survivors continued. Dozens of bodies have been taken to hospitals in Kathmandu, many of which are struggling to cope with the number of injured. As many as 17 Mount Everest climbers, including foreigners, were reportedly killed in an avalanche triggered by the earthquake, the worst in over 80 years of Nepal’s recorded history.
According to reports, the route to the base camp has been destroyed and the Indian Air Force choppers were trying to rescue the survivors, around 100 in number who were said to be safe. Two Indians, including the daughter of an Indian embassy employee, were among those killed in the powerful earthquake, an Indian embassy official said. Four fresh after shocks jolted Nepal today, measuring upto 6 on the Richter scale, including one that was reported to hit 41 km west-northwest of Kirtipur. However, there was no immediate report of casualty following today’s tremors.
Over 55 people were killed and 237 injured in various parts of the country in a powerful quake, with epicentre in Nepal, which destroyed or damaged several houses and buildings. Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, bordering Nepal, were the worst-hit parts of India in the quake measuring 7.9on the Richter Scale.
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself monitoring the situation and issuing directives, massive rescue and relief operations have been initiated on a war footing. The Prime Minister, who took stock of the situation at a high-level meeting in New Delhi, directed immediate dispatch of rescue and relief teams, including medical staff, to the affected areas. Mr Modi spoke to Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim and Madhya Pradesh.
Meanwhile, the National Crisis Management Centre, headed by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, is meeting around noon today to take stock of the rescue and relief operations. Top officials of the Prime Minister’s Office, Cabinet Secretariat, Ministries of Home, Defence, External Affairs and others will attend the meeting.
The Centre has announced a compensation of 2 lakh rupees to the families of those who lost their lives in the earthquake across parts of India.
Home Secretary LC Goyal said, five teams of National Disaster Response Force, comprising 45 personnel each, have been dispatched to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh for conducting rescue and relief operations. Mr Rijiju said, rescue and relief teams have been sent to Patna, Supaul, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Gopalganj in Bihar and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. He said paramilitary personnel have also put on alert so that they could be deployed at a short notice.
President Pranab Mukherjee spoke to his Nepalese counterpart Ram Baran Yadav and enquired about the latest situation. Expressing deep shock over the damage, Mr Mukherjee assured Mr Yadav of fullest cooperation and all possible assistance to Nepal from India.
Prime Minister also spoke to his Nepalese counterpart Sushil Koirala. He assured all support and assistance. Mr Modi said, 125 million Indians are with Nepal in this hour of grief.
Indian Air Force planes have brought back 544 Indians from Nepal, so far. India has sent several aircraft, carrying relief and medical supplies and a 40-member disaster response team. Fifty doctors have already reached there to provide emergency services.
India also sent five MI17 helicopters from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh to Nepal to augment the rescue efforts in the Himalayan nation. Defence Spokerperson Sitanshu Kar said that another three helicopters will soon leave for Kathmandu. He said, they will airlift Army forward hospitals, engineering task forces, water, food, NDRF teams, medical personnel, equipments, blankets and tents. He said, two Advanced Light Dhruv Helicopters will also be pressed into service later in the day.
NDRF Director General OP Singh will visit Nepal today to oversee the rescue operations.
The Uttar Pradesh government will send 10 trucks of mineral water, 10 trucks of biscuits and one truck of medicine to Nepal today.
The US is sending a disaster response team and has released an initial one million dollar. The UK is sending an eight-strong team of humanitarian experts. Pakistan is sending four C-130 aircraft carrying a 30-bed field hospital and army doctors and specialists. Norway has promised 3.9 million dollars in humanitarian assistance. Germany, Spain, France, Israel and the European Union are also pledging to send aid.