A massive earthquake of magnitude 7.9 rattled Nepal on April 25, 2015. The earthquake, which struck at 11:56 am on Saturday, has already claimed lives of thousands of people, injured thousands and made millions homeless. Below are latest updates on the Nepal earthquake.
Update June 9, 2015
The death toll from Nepal earthquake has risen 8,778. The highest number of fatalities have been reported from Sindhupalchowk (3,440) followed by Kathmandu (1,222).
Minor aftershocks are still expected to continue for next one and half months, My Republica quoted Nepal's National News Agency, Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS). According to Seismologist Prof Dr Harihar Poudel, the first PhD holder on Nepal’s earthquake, the epicentre of 7.6-magnitude earthquake on August 26, 1890 was Gorkha district and that too had wrecked havoc from Gorkha to Sindhupalchowk districts including Kathmandu and aftershocks were felt till three months of the major quake. In this scenario, the aftershocks from current April 25 earthquake will also continue for next one and half month. Read the full article published in My Republica
The GDP of Nepal was expected to stand at Rs 2.16 trillion prior to the earthquake. It has now been revised downwards to Rs 2.12 trillion. Also, economic growth rate of Nepal is expected to stand at 3.04 per cent, the lowest in the last seven years. It was earlier projected to hover around 4.58 per cent at basic price, prior to the earthquake, The Himalayan Times has written quoting Swarnim Wagle, member of the National Planning Commission. In fiscal 2006-07, the growth rate stood at 2.75 per cent.
The earthquake relief and rehabilitation works are also carried on along with demolishing earthquake damaged buildings in different earthquake affected districts of Nepal. Yesterday, Nepal Army rescued one each from Gorkha and Dhading district of Nepal.
Photo shows Nepal Army personnel demolishing earthquake damaged buildings of Adarsha Janapremi Higher Secondary School, Kausaltar as Operation Sankat Mochan. Operation Sankat Mochan is a Nepal Army earthquake relief operation following the April 2015 Nepal earthquake.
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| Twitter photo @nepalarmy94 |
The death toll from Nepal earthquake has risen 8,706. At least three bodies have been recovered from Nuwakot and three others from Gorkha.
Update June 3, 2015
The health sector has suffered a loss of Rs 3.28 billion in the April 25 earthquake, the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) estimated. The estimation is based on the reports of 14 teams mobilised by the National Planning Commission (NPC) for Post-Disaster Needs Assessment. About 27 percent of the collapsed health institutes are in Sindhupalchok district alone.
The government is working to open the the World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu valley to the general public from August 17. April 25 earthquake and aftershocks have affected the Hanumandhoka Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath, Pashupatinath, and Changunarayan temple.
Update June 2, 2015
A helicopter crashed in Yamuna Danda VDC in Sindhupalchok district, killing all four onboard, after returning from Dolakha, distributing relief to earthquake victims. The chopper flying at low altitude plunged into a high tension electric line and burst into flames at Shila Parbat Jungle.
The United Nations said today that approximately 2.8 million Nepalese people affected by the recent earthquakes are in need of humanitarian assistance. According to the UN, over 500,000 houses were destroyed and another 269,000 damaged by the quakes, and hundreds of thousands of people were still staying in makeshift shelters. The UN has estimated that 1.4 million people require food assistance, due to high damage to agriculture-based livelihoods.
Update May 31, 2015
The Canadian government has expressed its willingness to provide employment for quake-hit Nepalese youths. Canadian Minister for Labor Kellie Leitch expressed commitment of providing employment in the agriculture sector during a meeting with the Nepalese Minister for Labor and Employment Tek Bahadur Gurung in Kathmandu.
Schools in quake-affected districts will be resume classes from today.
Update 04:25 UTC; May 17, 2015
Nepal government has decided to provide Rs 15,000 for each earthquake victim to buy corrugated zinc sheets and other materials to build temporary shelter.
Below are photos of earthquake damages in several parts of Kathmandu valley.
Update 12:05 UTC; May 16, 2015
Magnitude 5.5 strong aftershock has been recorded at 05:19 pm Saturday evening, Nepal Seismological Center reported.
Tremor was well felt in Kathmandu valley. People vacated their homes and offices as the tremors jolted buildings. It was felt as far as north Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Sikkim region of India. Read more
Earlier, magnitude 4.2 aftershock was recorded in Lalitpur/Makawanapur border region at 09:35 am. At least eight aftershocks have been recorded today in Nepal.
Update 02:40 UTC; May 16, 2015
The death toll from the the April 25 earthquake and latest aftershocks have reached 8,466.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York and urged the member countries and others to help raise an additional USD 365 million urgently needed to support quake-hit Nepal.
Update 10:00 UTC; May 15, 2015
The burned wreckage of missing helicopter has been found in the Gorthali area of Dolakha.
The helicopter was delivering aid to the badly-hit village of Charikot. Six US marines and two Nepali soldiers were on board. According to CNN, the pilot of the U.S. Marine helicopter that went missing on a earthquake relief mission in Nepal was Capt. Chris Norgren of Wichita.
Update 01:30 UTC; May 12, 2015
Landslides triggered by the earthquake in Nepal have again obstructed the Lamo Sanghu-Barahbise section of Araniko Highway and Trishuli-Dhunche section of Pasang Lhamu Highway on Tuesday. Both highways are the major road links with China. Read more
The earthquake has has claimed lives of at least 79 people, including 17 in neighbouring India and one in Chinese Tibet. Seventeen people have been killed in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh region of India. Read more
Nepal Seismological center has requested people not to hurry back to their homes for the time being as temblors measuring 5 to 6 on Richter scale could occur today as well. Read more
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake hit Kirtipur for the first time making it as an epicenter. Another, magnitude 5.2 moderate earthquake hit Bharatpur at 03:10 am Wednesday morning.
Witnesses recorded the moment and aftermath of a 7.3-magnitude earthquake that shook Nepal on Tuesday (Video/The New York Times)
Update 09:30 UTC; May 12, 2015
At least four earthquakes have been recorded in Nepal within two hours.
According to Nepal Seismological Center, magnitude 6.8 earthquake hit Dolakha/Sindhupalchowk border region at 12:50 pm local time. It was followed by magnitude 6.2 at 13:21 with epicenter in Dolakha.
Another moderate earthquake with magnitude 5.3 hit Sindhupalchowk at 01:58 pm. The latest earthquake was recorded in Sindhupalchowk at 02:44 pm with magnitude 5.3. Click for detail report.
Update 05:10 UTC; May 12, 2015
Nepal Army said that it doesn't need further foreign military support as the first phase of disaster response is almost over. Maj Gen Binoj Basnyat at a press meet at Army headquarters on Monday said that the priority is now relief and humanitarian support, along with rehabilitation and reconstruction. The Nepal Army has been leading search-and-rescue operations since the April 25 earthquake.
National Planning Commission (NPC) has said that a detailed programme for rehabilitation of earthquake victims would be ready by Friday. National Planning Commission Vice-chairman Govinda Raj Pokharel said that the displaced families close to roads would be provided with corrugated iron sheets while those in remote areas would get tents. NPC has emphasized use of local materials to reduce costs and ensure the longevity of buildings.
Update 10:00 UTC; May 11, 2015
The death toll from the Gorkha Earthquake has reached 8,046 so far. According to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) at the Home Ministry, highest number of fatalities is from Sindhupalchok district where 3,107 people are killed.
Update 08:30 UTC; May 10, 2015
More than 200 people are trapped in Kyanjin Gompa area of Langtang valley and need emergency evacuation. "Multiple avalanches since Friday night has not only affected search operation but also threatened lives of more than 200 locals in Kyanjin Gompa," The Himalayan Times has written quoting the Assistant Chief District Officer, Gautam Rimal.
The earthquake has caused damage to more than 20 hydro projects of Nepal. A 45MW Upper Bhote Koshi hydroelectric project developed by Bhote Koshi Power Company in Sindhupalchowk has been worst affected by the quake, the data provided by the Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal and Nepal Electricity Authority mentioned.
Update 06:20 UTC; May 7, 2015
Death toll from the earthquake has reached 7,759. Sindhupalchowk district remains the worst-hit with a total death toll of 2,291 while deaths in Kathmandu have reached 1,210.
Rescue teams have abandoned the search for survivors in Langtang village. At least 186 locals and more than 100 foreign hikers are still believed to be missing after a massive avalanche hit the area. It is seen that around 543 foreigners from 29 countries had checked in at Langtang Valley. Most of the hikers were from France, Germany, Israel, United States and the United Kingdom. “Search for survivors has been called off and there are no more stranded persons who need immediate evacuation,” Pravin Pokharel, DSP in Rasuwa said The Himalayan Times over phone.
Traffic blocked due to landslide triggered by earthquake along Araniko highway has came into operation after 13 days.
According to the Office of the Controller of Examinations (OCE), the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) result will be delayed by two weeks. The earthquake has caused obstruction in answer paper assessment. OCE has now planned to publish the results by the third week of June.
At least two aftershocks have been recorded with epicenter in Nuwakot on Thursday morning. Some 149 aftershocks measuring above four on Richter scale have been recorded till now.
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| Earthquake damage at Ramche, Sindhupalchowk (Mukunda Poudel/Disaster Report) |
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| Earthquake damage at Ramche, Sindhupalchowk (Mukunda Poudel/Disaster Report) |
Update 12:20 UTC; May 6, 2015
Death toll from the April 25 earthquake has reached 7,652. Sindhupalchowk district is the worst-hit with a total death toll of 2,939, according to the data provided by the Home Ministry today.
The Chaudhary Group (CG) will construct 1,000 temporary houses in the districts hardest-hit by the earthquake and provide them to the victims free of cost, CG Chairman Binod Kumar Chaudhary said in a news conference in Lalitpur today. Each of the houses is expected to cost Rs 50,000 to Rs 100,000.
The technicians from the Department of Urban Development and Building have declared presidential residence Sheetal Niwas as unsafe for use. Technicians have put red stickers to the rear part of the residence.
Update 05:35 UTC; May 6, 2015
The Everest expedition for this year has been cancelled following the avalanches triggered by the earthquake, which killed 19 climbers.
Over 500 foreigners rescuers have left for their respective countries after conducting several rescue operations. Various teams from 34 countries comprising 4,050 rescue personnel had arrived in Nepal since the deadly earthquake. According to international provision, the foreign rescue teams must return within seven days of their arrival in any country.
Update 11:35 UTC; May 5, 2015
The Department of Education today said that 575 school buildings (13,921 classrooms) in 36 districts have been completely destroyed by the quake and its aftershocks. Further 969 school buildings (4,643 classrooms) have been partially damaged while 318 buildings (2,406 classrooms) have minor damage. Nepal Government is preparing to resume classes from May 15, The Himalayan Times reported.
Earthquake has damaged 95 per cent school buildings in Sindhupalchowk, District Education Officer, Dilnath Puri, said eKantipur. Thirteen teachers have died so far in the Sindhupalchowk district in the quake.
According to the Ministry of Health and Population, about 39,000 people injured and sickened by the earthquake have received treatment so far. The Ministry has mobilised 85 international medical teams and over 100 national teams for the treatment of the injured people.
At least two aftershocks with magnitude greater than 4 have been recorded in Nepal today. Light earthquake with magnitude 4.0 was recorded at 06:39 am with epicenter in the border of Dhading and Nuwakot. Another magnitude 4.3 shock was felt around 04:23 pm with epicenter in the border of Sindhupalchowk and Dolakha.
Prime Minister Sushil Koirala today visited the epicenter area, Barpak in Gorkha district.
Update 04:15 UTC; May 5, 2015
The death toll from earthquake and aftershocks in Nepal has risen to 7,557. According to the Home Ministry, at least 14,536 people have been injured, as per the update posted on Tuesday morning.
At least seven persons have been seriously injured when a bus carrying disaster relief materials heading to Arughat from Gorkhabazar met an accident at Ale of Gorkha municipality on Tuesday morning.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) and European Union (EU) have provided assistance of an extra $200 million and 16.6 million euros respectively for the post-earthquake rehabilitation and reconstruction works, eKantipur reported.
Update 23:00 UTC; May 4, 2015
Around 100 bodies have been recovered on Saturday and Sunday at the Langtang village buried in an avalanche. The dead include at least seven foreigners, The Himalayan Times has written quoting Gautam Rimal, assistant chief district officer in the area.
Around 80 percent tourists have cancelled hotel reservations in Nepal, eKantipur has reported mentioning Hoteliers. Ashok Pokhrel, president of the Nepal Association of Tour Operators, said that cancellation of advance booking would cross 90 percent soon due to problem with safety in Nepal. Around 45,000 tourists have believed to left Nepal since the earthquake.
A Drone video uploaded by BBC reveals huge devastation from Nepal earthquake.
Update 16:30 UTC; May 4, 2015
The death toll in April 25 devastating earthquake stands at 7,366 as of 3 pm on Monday.The highest number of the fatalities has been recorded in the Sindhupalchowk district (2,838) followed by Kathmandu (1,202).
Among the deceased are 57 foreigners. According to the Police, at least 328 persons have been missing including 112 foreigners, 215 Nepali citizens and a police staffer.
At least two persons from the north belt of Gorkha district have been rescued alive, tenth day of the earthquake.
According to the statistics provided by the Department of Education under the Ministry of Education, as many as 575 schools were completely destroyed in 36 districts across the nation.
At least 140 aftershocks of magnitude greater than 4 have been recorded since April 15 main shock. According to the Nepal Seismological Center, eight aftershocks have been recorded in Nepal today.
According to the statistics provided by the Department of Education under the Ministry of Education, as many as 575 schools were completely destroyed in 36 districts across the nation.
At least 140 aftershocks of magnitude greater than 4 have been recorded since April 15 main shock. According to the Nepal Seismological Center, eight aftershocks have been recorded in Nepal today.
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| Earthquake damage in Kiul, Sindhupalchowk (Suman Khadka/Disaster Report) |
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| Earthquake triggered landslide in Kiul, Sindhupalchowk (Suman Khadka/Disaster Report) |
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| Earthquake damage at Bungamati, Lalitpur (Suja Giri/Disaster Report) |
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| Earthquake damage at Bungamati, Lalitpur (Suja Giri/Disaster Report) |
