157 killed in Nepal quake, toll may rise; India offers assistance

The two districts of Jajarkot and Rukum West were the worst-hit. At least 105 people were killed and an equal number injured in Jajarkot; Rukum West reported 52 deaths and 85 injured.

Friday’s quake, which struck at 11:47 pm (Nepal time), was the country’s deadliest since 2015, when about 8,000 people were killed in two earthquakes, measuring 7.8 and 7.3 on the Richter scale.

Officials said the toll was expected to rise. Rescue work was hampered as roads to the hilly area were blocked by landslides in many places. “It took the search team longer to reach the affected areas as the roads were blocked because of landslides,” said Harischandra Sharma, assistant chief district officer of Jajarkot.

The Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and police are coordinating search and rescue operations. “We have been able to save many lives by providing timely first aid and transporting them to local health centres as well as hospitals in Nepalgunj and Kathmandu… We fear the casualty may be higher, we are still in the process of clearing debris and intensifying rescue operations,” said an official at the Nepal Army camp office.

Nepal’s National Seismological Centre said 175 aftershocks were recorded in Jajarkot, including six of magnitude 4 or higher.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) flew to the area early on Saturday to oversee search, rescue and relief work. The cabinet, which held an emergency meeting after his return, decided to provide Rs 5 crore each to Jajarkot and Rukum West.

Both Rukum and Jajarkot, remote areas of western Nepal, are Maoist-controlled areas and believed to be the birthplace of the insurgency that Nepal witnessed for a decade from 1996. Before entering mainstream politics, Dahal was a rebel leader.

The thinly-populated area has mostly women and children, with young and middle-aged men having left in search of jobs.

Besides these two districts, the earthquake also caused damage in Dailkeh and Baitadi
districts, where at least six people are reported to be injured.

Deputy Prime Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha said India and China have offered to help in search and rescue operations. “We have told them that we are carrying out preliminary search, rescue and relief operation now. We will request you for any help if required later,” he said.

In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed India’s willingness to extend all possible assistance. “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives and damage due to the earthquake in Nepal. India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and is ready to extend all possible assistance. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and we wish the injured a quick recovery,” he tweeted.

(With inputs from agencies)