Worst earthquake in eight decades leaves Nepal ravaged

As seen from the cliff of Swayambhunath shrine, the whole Kathmandu valley was covered in dust due to the quake.(Source: Express photo by Abhimanyu Chakravorty)

Some got stuck under the debris, and when they were pulled out by people nearby, their limbs were broken and heads profusely bleeding. (Source: Express photo by Abhimanyu Chakravorty)

The earthquake shook the entire structure and reduced old houses, small shops and smaller temples in and around the complex to rubble within 15 seconds. (Source: Express photo by Abhimanyu Chakravorty)

A huge blanket of dust enveloped the entire area and visibility was reduced to 10 metres making rescue ops more difficult. (Source: Express photo by Abhimanyu Chakravorty)

Even after the first shock was felt, several aftershocks kept rocking the place for another hour or so. (Source: Express photo by Abhimanyu Chakravorty)

Police reached the spot, around 20 minutes after the first quake. But as they rushed up, they didn’t know where or how to begin. (Source: Express photo by Abhimanyu Chakravorty)

A helicopter circles the Swayambhunath complex to get an overview of the situation in Kathmandu, Nepal. (Source: Express photo by Abhimanyu Chakravorty)

Buddhist monks offer prayers at the wreckage site at Swayambhunath stupa right after the Devastation. (Source: Express photo by Abhimanyu Chakravorty)

The iconic Swayambhunath stupa in Kathmandu was relatively lucky in the aftermath of the devastating Nepal earthquake. (Source: Express photo by Abhimanyu Chakravorty)

A monk offers his prayers at the quake-ravaged temple premises. (Source: Express photo by Abhimanyu Chakravorty)

There were still a lot of piled up debris, but the police and people present at the spot said the ones trapped under were immediately rescued, though there could be a possibility of more people being trapped inside.(Source: Express photo by Abhimanyu Chakravorty)