Modi directs immediate dispatch of relief to quake-hit areas

In the wake of a major earthquake that has devastated Nepal and affected many parts of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday directed immediate dispatch of relief and rescue teams, including medical help to Kathmandu, as well as to the affected areas in India.

Chairing a high-level meeting to review the situation following the massive earthquake whose epicentre was Nepal, Modi also directed that proper arrangements be made for rendering assistance in evacuation of stranded tourists.

Immediately after the earthquake measuring a staggering 7.9 on the Richter scale, with its epicentre at Nepal's Lamjung district, some 75 km northwest of capital Kathmandu, Modi spoke to the Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav and Prime MInister Sushil Koirala, who was abroad, and assured all assistance in dealing with the aftermath of the quake, which left a trail of destruction and devastation.

Modi also spoke to chief ministers of affected states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim and Madhya Pradesh.

At the meeting, which was attended by union ministers Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh as well as National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, the prime minister was informed that the first set of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team was expected to reach Kathmandu later in the day.

"The Prime Minister was briefed on the inputs regarding the extent of damage to life and property received so far from various places in India and Nepal," a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.

"The Prime Minister directed immediate dispatch of relief and rescue teams, including medical teams to Nepal, as well as to affected areas in India. He also directed that proper arrangements be made for rendering assistance in evacuation of stranded tourists," it added.