News from Nepal

Earthquake devastated Barpak village, Gorkha Kathmandu, May 22: Earthquake experts and technicians have said that public awareness was vital for people to remain safe for its consequences and mitigate the damages. In an interaction programme organised on Friday by the Nepal Engineers' Association in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake in the country to discuss its damages and post-disaster scenario, the participants talked about the importance of preparedness and public awareness on building code to avert earthquake-related damages. National Planning Commission former Vice Chair Jagdish Chandra Pokharel said preparedness and alertness were the best ways to remain safe at the time of natural disasters. He said essentiality of open space in every locality in the Kathmandu valley has been realised following the recent earthquake. Former secretary and president of Society of Nepali Architects Kishor Thapa stated that although multi-storey buildings were

Dhunche (Rasuwa), May 22: A group of geologists deputed by the Department of Mines and Geology has begun the study of fissures and cracks emerged in different parts of the district with the recent destructive earthquakes. According to Chief District Officer Uddhav Prasad Bhattarai, the team reached Rasuwagadhi area and began the study. After the study, the team will suggest whether the places are safe to live any longer. At a time when the people from many villages are worrying over whether their settlements were in safe soil, the teams' finding would be very useful to that end, said civil society chair in the district Babulal Tamang.

Kathmandu, May 22: The Nepal Police has said 240 Nepalis and 89 foreigners were still missing since the April 25 earthquake in the country. Spokesperson of Nepal Police Kamal Singh Bam said the search for the missing ones was underway, and they might have been buried in the debris. According to the Nepal Police's record, the number of earthquake casualties has reached 8,675 while those injured climbed to 21,845. Among the dead, bodies of 8,598 have been handed over to the concerned relatives. Similarly, 5,613 quake survivors have been receiving treatment in different hospital across the country.