One of the world's most favorite tourist and spiritual destinations, Nepal has now turned a burial ground following a terrible earthquake measuring a magnitude of 7.9 on the Richter scale in Pokhara City near the country's capital Kathmandu this afternoon. As many as 1,100 are feared dead, more than 1,700 severely injured and equal number of civilians are feared stuck under the rubble.
Already, India has sent its NDRF team to participate in the rescue operations and the PM Modi has said that Nepal's pain is India's pain. The US government has released $1 million initial aid and will be sending its disaster response team. Rescue teams from several other countries will land soon in Kathmandu and other regions.
The earthquake was also intense in several northern regions in India like New Delhi, Jaipur, UP, West Bengal and Bihar and officials have estimated upto 35 deaths following the collapsing of buildings. Soon after the Kathmandu earthquake, as many as 15 aftershocks were felt throughout the country and the impact was also strong at the Mount Everest, where 8 people are feared dead at the base camps.
The casualties are being treated at several hospitals across the capital city and even on the earthquake sites by medical aid groups. Thousands of foreign tourists including many Indians and a group of 28 Hyderabadi tourists are feared stuck in the calamity and the Indian officials are trying to locate them amidst the destroyed communications systems.
Many historic and culturally significant sites and landmarks have been completely destroyed in the disaster. The Dharhara Tower, a 9 storied ancient tower which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a prominent tourist attraction has now been reduced to its base and upto 400 people are being pulled out from the debris. The Nepalese government has declared emergency in earthquake hit regions and sought international help to cope with the loss and carry out rescue operations.
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