Nepal Quake Toll at 1900, India launch Operation Maitri

The Indian Army has named the aid to Nepal ‘Operation Maitri’ or friendship, a day after it started extending help to the neighbouring country that was hit by a massive earthquake just before noon on Saturday, leaving a trail of death and destruction. The death toll has now gone up to 1900 in quake-ravaged Nepal.

The earthquake, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale, had its epicentre in Lamjung district, around 75 km northwest of capital Kathmandu. Following the massive quake, over 50 aftershocks were also felt.

In addition to the specialist teams of its National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), India has already moved large amounts of relief material to the Himalayan kingdom, besides its Air Force moving essential supplies to Nepal and flying back over 546 of its stranded citizens from its capital Kathmandu since late Saturday.

“India is moving in massive amount of rescue and relief material, equipment and specialists the second day (Sunday),” said Sitanshu Kar, the spokesperson for the defence ministry.

“Ten flights are planned for Kathmandu today (Sunday). These would be airlifting army’s forward hospitals, engineering task forces, water, food, National Disaster Response Force teams, medical personnel and equipment, blankets and tents.” (IANS)