Presidential residence, some ministries declared unsafe

The rear section of Nepal's presidential residence, Sheetal Niwas, has been declared unsafe following the powerful earthquake that has killed thousands.

After a safety assessment, technicians from the Department of Urban Development and Building put red stickers in the rear section. It will now have to be demolished and rebuilt.

The British era structure developed cracks in the April 25 earthquake that has caused widespread destruction in the Himalayan nation.

Since then, President Ram Baran Yadav was forced to live inside a tent within the office premises. On Sunday, he shifted to a new rented house, said officials at President Office.

Similarly, two ministries in Nepal's main administrative premises, Singha Durbar, were declared unsafe by government engineers.

These are the ministries of youth and sports as well as labour and employment. Buildings housing the ministries of foreign affairs, defence, finance and general administration have also developed cracks.