Quake help to Nepal through diplomatic channel only: Govt

New Delhi, May 13: India has extended all possible logistical assistance to Nepal after the April 25 earthquake through diplomatic channels keeping in view the sovereignty of the Himalayan nation, government informed Parliament today.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said, "India's assistance to Nepal includes deployment of the resources of Army, Indian Air Force, National Disaster Response Force for search and rescue operations, providing food, water, medicines, tents, blankets, water purifying systems etc."

"India had worked with the government of Nepal shoulder to shoulder during the disaster response phase. The Government of India sent to Kathmandu NDRF rescue Teams and relief material within six hours of earthquake. "These teams had worked round-the-clock in close coordination with the Government of Nepal during disaster response phase," he said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

NDRF has rescued 11 persons and recovered 133 bodies. In order to support the affected people of Nepal, the Government of India rushed more than 1300 tons of food 300 tons of water, 8 tons of medicines, 7000 tents, 1 lakh tarpaulin and 1 lakh blanket etc. to Nepal during response phase, Rijiju said.

As per the information received from the state governments, 79 people (58 in Bihar, 17 in Uttar Pradesh, 3 in West Bengal, 1 in Rajasthan) lost their lives due to the earthquake. Rijiju said India has provided essential medical care, logistics and free transportation to those evacuated from Nepal up to their native place.

PTI