Nepal Quake Death Toll rises to 1500; 58 Killed in India
The Indian Government led by PM Narendra Modi, has been working overnight to help rescue the Indians stranded in Nepal and also intensify the rescue and relief operations in the Himalayan country. At least 1,500 people have died so far in the earthquake of 7.9 magnitude that stuck near Pokhara earlier on Saturday.
The death toll may go up to 2,000, if we believe the reports from Western Media. Thousands of houses and buildings, including the UNESCO Heritage Site Dharahara Tower on Durbar Square, razed to the ground. Areas in Pokhara and Kathamandu are worst affected. This is the worst earthquake in Nepal in the last 80 years. An avalanche triggered by the deadly earthquake, caused destruction at an Everest Base Camp and left 15 foreigners dead. An Indian Embassy official’s daughter was also killed in the quake.
In India, 58 people have lost their lives and some destruction have been reported from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal etc. At least 12-14 states in India witnessed mild tremors. 47 people died in Bihar, while 8 in Uttar Pradesh and 3 in West Bengal were among the casualties. 4 NDRF teams rushed to Bihar, while 1 team went to Uttar Pradesh.
The Prime Minister, who took stock of the situation at a high-level meeting, has been monitoring the rescue and relief operations from the Emergency Room. All Senior Ministers and officials are at work. MEA, Sushma Swaraj has been tweeting relentlessly to handle the evacuation of Indians and rescue operations.
312 stranded Indians evacuated from Nepal in 3 IAF flights carrying 52, 100 and 160 Indians @MEAIndia. 285 NDRF team members have been flown in from India in 3 IAF aircrafrts to assist Nepal Army in rescue operations.
The PM directed immediate dispatch of rescue and relief teams, including medical staff, to the affected areas. At least four aircrafts with 10 NDRF teams, medical personnel, technicians, relief materials, medicines and all other relevant materials are reaching Nepal. Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Indian Railways will step in from tomorrow to rescue more Indians.