Workers help Nepal storm displaced with food, shelter

Government workers and private volunteers provided food, tents and clothing Tuesday to the thousands of people in southern Nepal who lost their homes and belongings in a weekend storm.

Police officers and soldiers helped dig through debris to help the victims salvage what was left of their belongings and the victims asked the government for help to rebuild their homes and farms.

The Sunday night wind and rain storm left 28 people dead and hundreds injured. Most of the deaths were caused by collapsing walls and falling bricks in homes and toppled trees and electrical poles.

"We are asking the government to come and help us rebuild our homes and help us get back on our feet," said Sunil Ahmed, a farmer who lost his family home in the storm.

"It has become very difficult for us now. I don't know what to do next or where to go," he said.

The government said it was collecting information on the damage and would soon announce relief plans to help the victims. Army and police trucks loaded with the food and supplies were being sent by the government to the rural villages in two districts located about 120 kilometers (75 miles) south of the capital, Kathmandu.

Private organizations and volunteers also collected donations in other parts of the country.

Businesses from neighboring cities were bringing in food and distributing it to families who lined up at the village center.

The provincial government announced that families of the dead would each receive 300,000 rupees (USD 2,725) in financial assistance.

Pre-monsoon storms with strong winds and rain are common in Nepal in March and April.