Kathmandu: The death toll in Nepal’s devastating earthquake could shoot up to 10,000 as rescuers and international aid workers on Tuesday struggled to reach relief in remote areas of the country which is still battling the aftermath.
Nepal desperately needed tents, water and food supplies, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala told an all-party meeting, briefing the leaders on efforts to rush emergency supplies to those in need.
The death toll could reach 10,000 because information from the affected remote villages is yet to come, Mr Koirala said. Three days after the 7.9-magnitude temblor flattened their homes and dwellings, desperate people across Nepal looked for succour from helicopters that criss-cross the Himalayan nation as massive international aid, including from India, poured in.
At least 5,057 bodies have so far been recovered after Saturday’s massive earthquake that struck just outside of capital Kathmandu, a Nepalese police official said. Over 10,000 people have been injured. He acknowledged that authorities were overwhelmed by appeals for help from remote villages, but the administration has been unable to initiate rescue efforts in many areas due to lack of equipment and rescue experts.
Eight million people have been affected by the devastating earthquake, the United Nations said on Tuesday. More than 1.4 million need food, while water and shelter are also in short supply, the UN said in a report. Hundreds of people are still trapped under tonnes of rubble in Kathmandu and some of the worst-affected remote mountainous areas.
Mr Koirala admitted that the relief and search operations have not been effective. He has urged political parties to work together in this national crisis. Indian ambassador Ranjit Rae on Tuesday met Mr Koirala and briefed him on the assistance provided by India under Operation Maitri. The Prime Minister thanked the ambassador for India's swift response on relief and rescue assistance.
"Our assistance so far has included makeshift hospitals, food, water, medicines, search and rescue teams, power restoration team, two engineering teams and more assistance in terms of dry food ration and essential medicines are expected soon," embassy sources told PTI.
