Increase pace of search and rescue ops in Nepal: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday chaired a high-level meeting to review relief and rescue operations following the massive earthquake in Nepal and directed that the pace of search and rescue operations be increased.

The prime minister was briefed on the work being done by various agencies involved in relief and rescue work, both in India and Nepal. He was also briefed on the situation arising out of the major aftershock that occurred earlier in the day on Sunday, said an official statement.

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.

Modi had chaired a high-level meeting on Saturday too on the subject.

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).