Hundreds of tourists and pilgrims are stranded in Nepal. The PM ordered evacuation of tourists and relief dispatch.
The government of Nepal declared a state of emergency as the death toll from a 7.8-magnitude earthquake neared 900. Per the Guardian, the current death toll is 876 in Nepal, 34 fatalities in northern India, 6 in Tibet, 2 in Bangladesh.
Kathmandu Airport in Nepal has resumed operations. The first rescue and relief planes have arrived.
Hospitals in southeast Nepal are reported to be ‘overwhelmed’ by earthquake victims.
The US ambassador to Nepal tweets he is ‘in touch with USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance working on US response… we’re ready to help.”
A Nepali minister also said there had been “massive damage” at the epicenter. India has already started relief operations in Nepal, sending disaster management personnel, doctors and material.
The Associated Press notes that the shallowness of the Nepal earthquake, at 7 miles, contributed to the widespread damage. In addition, much of the damage is attributable to building standards in the country.
Death toll on Mount Everest is at 13 in wake of avalanche triggered by earthquake near Kathmandu.
Kathmandu Airport in Nepal resumes operations; 1st rescue and relief planes arrive.
It’s unclear how many tourists are directly affected by the earthquake. Nepal is a major travel and tourism destination and the quake happened at day time.
Travel trade is already taking issues at hand.
eTN received an email from TORNOS DESTINATIONS (India):
The tragic news of earthquake in Nepal reached live to us in Lucknow by way of heavy tremors felt here. We understand that it has caused heavy damage to lives and property in Nepal. We at Tornos stand by all in India and Nepal, who have been affected, their near and dear ones and the travel fraternity in India and Nepal in this hour of shock and devastation.
Our office in Lucknow is working round the clock today and our executives will be stationed overnight in the office today and through Sunday to cater to all evacuation requests and handle any diverted guests from Nepal.
International Medical Corps is responding. In a press release it was stated: The death toll is expected to climb much higher as rescue efforts are still in the early stages. Reports from the region show widespread damage. Aftershocks shook the region for several hours after the initial earthquake. Search and rescue operations are underway and hospitals in the capital have been inundated with patients. Medicines and supplies are expected to be depleted quickly. Communications with the region are limited.
International Medical Corps’ Emergency Response team leader Sean Casey is on the ground in Nepal and coordinating the organization’s emergency response. “The earthquake was incredibly powerful and the devastation in Kathmandu is considerable. Our team is gathering supplies and heading west towards the epicenter of the quake to provide support.”
International Medical Corps is sending additional staff and resources to support relief efforts.
International Medical Corps has extensive experience in the region and has responded to the Pakistan earthquake in 2005, the Haiti earthquake in 2010 and the Japan earthquake and tsunami in 2011.
Since its inception 30 years ago, International Medical Corps’ mission has been consistent: relieve the suffering of those impacted by war, natural disaster and disease, by delivering vital health care services that focus on training. This approach of helping people help themselves is critical to returning devastated populations to self-reliance.
