Death toll in Nepal earthquake hits 157, over 375 injured; National and International bodies announce support for quake victims

Kathmandu / Nov. 4: The death toll from the 6.4 magnitude earthquake that devastated Jajarkot and West Rukum districts has reached 157, the Ministry of Home Affairs said on Saturday evening.

In the statement, Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, spokesperson of the ministry, said over 375 people were injured in the quake.

Those sustaining minor injuries are being treated at local health facilities and district hospitals and the seriously injured have been airlifted to Kathmandu, Surkhet and Nepalgunj, the ministry said.

According to Nepal Police, 105 people died in the earthquake in Jajarkot, the epicentre of the quake, while 52 deaths have been reported in the adjoining district West Rukum as of 5pm on Saturday.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal visited the quake-hit districts along with doctors, health workers, medicines and relief materials and met with the affected families. He instructed the concerned agencies to immediately make search, rescue and relief works more effective.

According to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre, the earthquake with an epicentre in Jajarkot district was recorded at 11:47pm on Friday. Strong jolts were felt in Kathmandu and in cities in neighbouring India, including New Delhi.

A meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha earlier on Saturday announced a financial package of Rs100 million to facilitate the search and rescue missions in the earthquake-hit districts. District authorities in Jajarkot and West Rukum will be provided Rs50 million each for the purpose.

The meeting also decided to dispatch necessary human resources including specialist doctors, and essential medical equipment to the affected areas quickly, keep health personnel on standby in Surkhet, Nepalgunj and Kathmandu for additional treatment and send food, tents, blankets, mattresses and sleeping bags among others to the affected districts.

The meeting expressed its gratitude for proposals for assistance from foreign countries and decided to seek support later if necessary, the home ministry said.

Government releases Rs100 million for search and rescue operations

The government has announced a financial package of Rs Rs100 million to facilitate the search and rescue missions in earthquake-hit Jajarkot and West Rukum districts.

The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha earlier on Saturday. District authorities in Jajarkot and West Rukum will be provided Rs50 million each.

The meeting was attended by top officials from different ministries and security agencies.

According to Umakanta Adhikari, the information officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the amount will be provided through the National Disaster Risk Reduction And Management Authority (NDRRMA). The amount will be spent through the District Disaster Management Committees.

So far, 95 people have lost their lives in the disaster in Jajarkot while the death toll in West Rukum stands at 43, Adhikari said. As many as 150 people have been injured in Jajarkot, and 144 more in West Rukum. Of the injured, 15 are being treated in Province Hospital Surkhet while 19 others were taken to Nepalgunj.

Personnel of Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have been deployed in search, rescue, and relief management operations in areas affected by the devastating 6.4 magnitude earthquake that jolted west Nepal at 11:47pm on Friday.

Similarly, the Bagmati Province government has also decided to provide Rs15 million in aid to the victims of the disaster in Jajarkot.

The said amount will be provided through the Karnali Province government, and is aimed at assisting the local authorities in relief management and rescue operation in this time of emergency, said Bagmati Chief Shalikram Jamkattel.

Likewise, the Nepali Congress has also announced Rs5 million financial support to the government to help in the search, rescue, and rehabilitation efforts, said Krishna Prasad Paudel, the party’s chief secretary.

China announces providing relief materials worth Rs100 million to Nepal

China has announced providing relief materials worth Rs100 million to Nepal for earthquake-hit areas as the first emergency response.

The assistance materials include tents and blankets from China South Asian Countries Emergency Supplies Reserve and will arrive in a couple of days, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song said in a post on X, previously Twitter, on Saturday.

More aids are on the way, he said.

China South Asian Countries Emergency Supplies Reserve was set up in April 2021 during the Covid pandemic to support five South Asian countries—Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.

As of Saturday evening, at least 157 people have died and over 375 injured as a devastating 6.4 magnitude rattled western Nepal just a few minutes before Friday midnight in the worst disaster to hit the country after the 2015 quake that killed over 9,000 people.

India stands in solidarity with Nepal, says Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives and property due to the earthquake in western Nepal.

“India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and is ready to extend all possible assistance,” the Indian Prime Minister has said in his tweet,” Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and we wish the injured a quick recovery.”

Meanwhile, various national organizations including political parties and their sister organizations, provincial governments, business communities including Bhat Bhateni and Buddha Air and national and international non governmental organizations announced support for the earthquake victims.