-- In two days, Nepal has experienced two
strong earthquakes. First occurred on Saturday 11:56 AM local time, was 7.8 in
intensity according to the US Geological Survey, had occurred some 80 Kms from
Kathmandu, was based in Lamjung and according to some reports, have damaged
almost 40% of Nepal. It was felt in the neighbouring countries as well - India,
China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan. In
India, it was felt most strongly with Bihar being the most affected. So far, the
death toll in India is at 62 - 46 in Bihar, 13 in Uttar Pradesh, 2 in West
Bengal and one today in Rajasthan. The quake was felt strongly in many parts of
North and East India with reports from as far as Mumbai and Andhra Pradesh. The
second one, 6.7 at Richter-Scale with epicentre in Kodari, hit the landlocked
nation of 28 million today, hampering the rescue and relief operations.
-- So far, in Nepal, the death toll has
crossed the figure of 2500. It is expected to be in many thousands as the
reports come. Many parts of the country are totally damaged. Entire localities
and villages are wiped out. Nepal had seen it previously in 1934, a destruction
of this scale with an earthquake of 8.2 had hit Nepal and Bihar killing over
10000. In injured count is over 6000.
-- The impoverished nation is not capable
of handling the crisis on its own. It needs food material, water and medicines
for millions affected. Nepal's Prime Minister Sushil Koirala left his Indonesia
visit midway to return to Nepal today to personally look after the rescue
efforts.
-- As predicted by the Indian Meteorological
Department (IMD) and other agencies, rains have begun in Nepal, further
hampering the rescue, relief and reconnaissance operations. In next 48 hours,
heavy to very heavy rains are expected in Nepal.
-- There are no definite reports about the
death toll at Everest base camp and the way up. So far, around 20 bodies have
been recovered. Some reports say 200 are still missing in the area. Injured
already count to 60. There are distress calls from the climbers with Tweets and
Instagram pictures.
-- Tribhuvan Airport of Kathmandu is again
closed and all the air-lift operations related to rescue and relief matters
have been put on hold.
-- Since yesterday, Nepal has seen at least
46 aftershocks and there is no time-frame by which the quakes would stop. Many
of these are at least 4 to 5 on the Richter-Scale. More avalanches, landslides
and aftershocks are expected.
-- People are outside, in the streets, in
the tents, desperately needing relief. Survivors need helping hands. There are
many for whom a further delay can be fatal but then, rains have come, heavy
rains. There are many bodies trapped in the rubble. There are many remote areas
where the reconnaissance missions have not reached.
-- Rumours are keeping the parallel track
alive. Differing toll figures are acceptable at this hour of crisis but what
about fake images? Also, a silly rumour-mongering attitude at this time may
further create the atmosphere of panic and hamper the efforts of machinery involved
in relief work.
-- Even if there are standalone villages in
some remote areas, they are bound to have people. As the time would pass, we
would have more reports from different parts on the extent of damage.
Saturday's quake epicentre Lamjung stands totally destroyed in the massive
earthquake.
-- India and the international community
has come forward to help the devastated Mount Everest nation. India is the
forefront of the rescue and relief efforts thrusting the largest contingent of
personnel and relief material there. India has employed many of its military
and civil aircrafts for rescue, relief and reconnaissance efforts there. The
Indian Prime Minister is personally looking after the efforts and a team of
senior ministers is to go to Nepal. Foreign Secretary, Home Secretary and IMD
officials are holding regular pressers.
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NEPAL EARTHQUAKE: UPADTES SO FAR
http://severallyalone.blogspot.in/2015/04/nepal-earthquake-upadtes-so-far.html
