Increase pace of search and rescue operations in Nepal: Modi
Narendra Modi was briefed on the work being done by various agencies involved in relief and rescue work, both in India and Nepal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday chaired a high-level meeting to review the rescue operations after a massive earthquake hit Nepal and directed that the pace of search and relief operations be increased.
Narendra Modi was briefed on the work being done by various agencies involved in relief and rescue work, both in India and Nepal.
Modi emphasized the need for further increasing the pace of search and rescue operations, and evacuation of stranded people from Nepal. He directed that in addition to the air route, the road route should also be used for evacuating stranded people at the earliest.
The prime minister also stressed on the need for ensuring coordination among various agencies involved in relief and rescue operations, said the statement.
Modi also said that highest priority be accorded to food and water supplies, including milk powder, to the affected areas.
The meeting was attended by union ministers Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, Rajnath Singh and Manohar Parrikar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, and senior officials from the government, the Indian Meteorological Department, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
Nepal bore the brunt of the earthquake's impact with at least 2, 200 dead and more than 5,000 injured. The toll is expected to climb as more reports come in from far-flung areas. Another earthquake today struck the region with a magnitude of 6.7.
A strong aftershock sent people running for open spaces as they struggled with the devastation caused by Saturday's massive 7.9-magnitude temblor that displaced and injured thousands besides causing a deadly avalanche on the Mount Everest claiming 18 lives.