Nepal quake kills at least 36, injures over 100 in India

NEW DELHI: In a major tragedy, at least 36 people have been killed and over a 100 injured in northern and eastern India following the killer temblor, which had its epicenter in Nepal, which has caused massive damage to houses and buildings and sparked off panic among the people.

At least 25 people in Bihar, 8 in eastern Uttar Pradesh and 3 persons in West Bengal have perished in the quake. Also, 15 children have been badly injured in the devastation that followed.

Union Home Secretary L C Goyal, according to agency reports, at a press conference said that 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.

"Our focus is on rescue operations. The damage assessment will follow in some time," the PTI quoted him as saying.

The NDRF teams are equipped with life-saving kits, breathing equipment, wood and metal cutters and other essential gadgets and are also accompanied by paramedics and sniffer dogs, said agencies.

PM Modi monitoring operations: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday assured that the government is working to reach out to those affected in both the countries.

The prime minister, who took to Twitter immediately after tremors were felt, wrote, “We are in the process of finding more information and are working to reach out to those affected, both at home and in Nepal.”

Even as the Centre rushed National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) teams to quake affected states, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a high level meeting of senior ministers and top officials to take stock of the situation.

The Prime Minister spoke to Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav and offered all assistance. He also tried to reach Prime Minister Sushil Koirala who is abroad.

His office advised the Bhutanese Embassy to keep in touch with the Bhutan government and offer assistance.

"The Prime Minister spoke to the Chief Ministers of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Sikkim and offered central assistance. He especially inquired about the situation in the districts that bordered Nepal," the Press Information Bureau said in a press release.

Later speaking to journalists Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the government was trying to ascertain the number of casualties and added that National Disaster Relief Fund teams had already been √rushed to the affected states.

President conveys sympathies: President Pranab Mukherjee has conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to those affected and sincere wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured on account of earthquake in India and Nepal today.

In his Tweets, the President said, "Deeply distressed at loss of life and property due to earthquake in Nepal"

"India committed to assist Govt. of Nepal in every way possible in dealing with situation"

"Call upon State Governments and concerned agencies to take all necessary steps to provide relief to those affected by earthquake"

"Heartfelt condolences to families of deceased; prayers for speedy recovery of injured on account of earthquake".

According to reports, the epicentre of the tremors was said to be in Pokhra, Nepal, with the European Mediterranean Seismological Center stating that the earthquake measured 7.4 on the Richter scale.

India has placed its disaster response agencies on high alert, with the Indian Army, Air Force and Border Roads Organisation also on standby.