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Thursday, March 28 2024
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Nepal earthquake: Hundreds killed, Tremors across India

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Nepal: The quake measured 7.9 and struck an area between the capital Kathmandu and the city of Pokhara, the US Geological Survey said.

Tremors were felt across the region, around India, and as far afield as Pakistan, Bangladesh and neighbouring countries.

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A Nepali minister said there had been “massive damage” at the epicentre. “We need support from the various international agencies which are more knowledgeable and equipped to handle the kind of emergency we face now,” Information Minister Minendra Rijal.

Bodies have been pulled from the rubble of collapsed buildings in Kathmandu. Among those wrecked was the landmark Dharahara tower, with many feared trapped in its ruins.

After the earthquake struck, concerned residents came out into the streets. Mobile phones and other communications have been disrupted.

There are also reports of damage to the airport in the capital. Injured people have been brought to the main hospital.

“It was very scary. The earth was moving… I am waiting for treatment but the [hospital] staff are overwhelmed,” a labourer who injured his arm in a collapsing wall told AP.

Aftershocks could still be felt across the region sometime after the initial quake. Mountaineer Alex Gavan tweeted that the quake caused an avalanche on Mount Everest.

The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has held meeting with ministers to review the situation. Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, has pledged help for the Nepalese authorities. It is thought to be the worst earthquake to strike Nepal since the devastating one in 1934, which all but destroyed Kathmandu.

Kathmandu airport shut, several flights cancelled

Meanwhile, the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu was shut after a massive earthquake rocked Nepal, resulting in the cancellation of all the eight subsequent return flights from India bound for the capital city.

An IndiGo flight for Nepal, which left at 11:30 a.m. from New Delhi, had to be recalled and the departures of two others were suspended, according to authorities here. The flight of Nepalese carrier Buddha Air, bound for Varanasi, was among the eight that were called off.

The officials also said an Air Arabia flight from Sharjah to Kathmandu was diverted to the Indian capital. An Indigo flight was also called back from Kathmandu, while the departure of two flights of Jet Airways and Air India were stayed, they added.

“SpiceJet flights to Kathmandu are on hold till we get more news on the impact of earthquake and the readiness of Kathmandu airport,” said a spokesperson. “Due to Kathmandu airport closure, following flights for today stand cancelled,” Jet Airways said and listed two flights each, from and to Kathmandu.

Eight return flights from India — five from New Delhi and one each from Mumbai, Kolkata and Varanasi — were to connect with Kathmandu on Friday.

Sources at Indira Gandhi International Airport said modifications will be made in the schedules once a clear picture emerges. “We are assessing the situation,” an official said.

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Tremors also felt in parts of Kolkata, Ranchi, Himachal Pradesh

Likewise people rushed out of homes and schools while offices were vacated and metro rail services were halted when a high intensity earthquake hit Kolkata and parts of Bengal on Saturday. The first tremor was felt at 11.41 a.m. It continued for around two minutes.

Panic stricken students and teachers came out of classes. A few youngsters started crying. But most of them could not fathom what was happening. Another tremor was felt at 12.19 p.m.

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Doors did not close and metro trains did not move in India’s oldest metro rail system, the Kolkata Metro. Authorities made announcements through the public address system asking commuters to move outside. The commuters were then evacuated.

Streets were choc-a-bloc with people. Some were in their office wear, most in their casuals and night wear. All were worried and afraid. The quake, with its epicentre in Nepal, was also felt at Dumka, Pakur, Sahibganj, Ranchi, Jamshedpur and other places. There were no reports of any damage to property or loss of life, they said. Palamau Deputy Commissioner K Srinivasan said, “I felt the tremor while working in my chamber.”

An earthquake was felt across Himachal Pradesh, as well, triggering panic among the people. No loss of life or damage to property has been reported. “Tremors measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale were felt at 11.41 a.m.,” Meteorological Office Director Manmohan Singh told IANS. He said the epicentre of the quake was in Nepal.

Related News:

Major earthquake in Nepal; magnitude recorded at 7.5

Mild tremors in Mangaluru cause panic among people

 

 

 

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