PM appoints Rudy to assess situation, calls meet on quake

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday appointed union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy to assess the situation in the states bordering Nepal after a massive earthquake hit the Himalayan country.

The prime minister also called a meeting with ministers and top government officials to discuss the situation.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the quake, measuring 6 on the Richter scale in Delhi, had a depth of 10 km and its impact lasted up to one minute.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the epicentre was in Nepal's Lamjung, a district some 75 km from Kathmandu. The aftershocks were felt even half-an-hour after the quake.

Modi instructed Rudy to take stock of the situation in the districts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh that are along the Nepal border.

He also spoke to the chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Sikkim. He was also trying to speak to his Nepal counterpart Sushil Koirala, who is abroad.

The Prime Minister's Office tweeted: "Modi has spoken to Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav."

The PMO has also spoken to the Indian embassy in Bhutan. The embassy is in touch with top Bhutan officials as well, the statement added.