In Brief

Modi assures India will wipe Nepal’s tears, hold hands

- by India Writes Network

With Nepal descending deeper into a full-blown crisis and a potential humanitarian catastrophe in the wake of the massive earthquake, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured that India will wipe the tears of every person in Nepal as his government has gone full steam to fast-track rescue, relief and rehabilitation for the quake victims.

“For 1.25 billion Indians, Nepal is their own country and India will make all efforts to wipe the tears of every person in Nepal, hold their hands and stand with them,” Mr Modi said his monthly radio address to the nation, entitled “Mann ki Baat.” He also spoke extensively about the recent calamities, including the storm in Bihar and the crisis in the war-torn Yemen.

The prime minister also recalled the Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat on January 2001, which killed nearly 20,000 people, and added stressed that the recent earthquake with its epicenter in Nepal has shaken the whole world.

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Nepal quake: Death toll exceeds 3218, India steps up rescue efforts

- by India Writes Network

The most devastating earthquake to hit Nepal in 81 years has unleashed an unending trail of death, destruction and trauma, with the death toll climbing up to over 3,218 and more than 6,500 people injured.
On April 26 afternoon, another powerful tremor measuring 6.7 magnitude, according to US Geological Survey (USGS), rocked Nepal, leaving its quake-residents reeling and without respite from continuing aftershocks of varying intensity.
The Nepalese government has declared emergency in affected areas and announced a relief package of Rs 500 million. The Himalayan country has also appealed to India and China as well as other governments for help in relief and rehabilitation.
India has been prompt to respond within minutes of the quake and has firmed up a multi-pronged rescue operation to help the fraternal neighbouring country, also home to a large Indian diaspora.
A C17 aircraft, sent by India, with 225 Indians on board, touched down in New Delhi from Kathmandu.
“Our immediate focus is on rescue and relief. We are also examining land route for evacuating of Indians,” India’s Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar told reporters in New Delhi on April 26.

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India rallies behind quake-hit Nepal, relief aircraft on the way

- by India Writes Network

Within hours of a massive 7.9 Richter earthquake hitting central Nepal, India has promptly rallied behind the neighbouring country, home to a large Indian community. Hours after the quake struck, which also impacted swathes of northern India unleashing mayhem and destruction, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Nepal’s President Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and assured them of all support and assistance.
Coming through on these assurances, India has sent two IAF planes carrying relief material to Nepal, following which a C-130J Super-Hercules aircraft of the IAF left Hindon airforce base at 3.45 pm for Kathmandu, with an NDRF team onboard.
After dropping the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team, C-130J will perform aerial reconnaissance to check road communication to Pokhara, the resort town which is the epicenter of the quake, and return to Hindon. Additionally, five teams are waiting to depart from Hindon and four more from Bhatinda. The Defence ministry has issued standby orders to the Indian Army and Border Roads Organization as well. The Eeternal affairs ministry has opened a 24-hour Control Room for queries.
These steps were decided at an emergency meeting of the national crisis management committee, headed by the cabinet secretary, convened in the presence of Mr Modi at 3.00 pm on April 25. The prime minister was earlier scheduled to inaugurate the National Intelligence Academy in New Delhi at this time. nepalkkk

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Massive earthquake hits Nepal, shocks felt in Delhi

- by India Writes Network

A devastating earthquake of magnitude 7.9 has hit central Nepal and parts of Northern India at 11.41 a.m. Its reverberations are being felt even now all over Nepal and parts of India as far as Indi’s capital Delhi.

The United States Geological Survey had previously rated the tremblor at 7.5 magnitude but has since updated it at 7.9. The epicentre of the quake was the scenic village of Pokhra, only 50 miles from Kathmandu.

noida_picThe earthquake has caused widespread damage to property especially in Kathmandu, where buildings have been built in close proximity to each, with photos being shared on social media soon after the tremors subsided.

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