Nepal quake: PM directs immediate dispatch of rescue, relief teams

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday directed immediate dispatch of relief and rescue teams to earthquake-affected areas of the country as well as Nepal and ordered proper arrangements for evacuating stranded tourists from that country.

The directives came after he took stock of the situation arising from the massive earthquake at a high-level meeting attended by Ministers Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Principal Secretary Nripendra Misra and senior officials of National Disaster Response Force and Indian Metereological Department.

The prime minister was briefed about the extent of damage to life and property received so far from various places in India and Nepal, a PMO statement said.

He directed immediate dispatch of relief and rescue teams, including medical teams to Nepal, as well as to affected areas in India, it said.

The prime minister also asked officials to make proper arrangements for rendering assistance in evacuation of stranded tourists, the statement added.

He was informed that the first set of NDRF teams is expected to reach Kathmandu on Saturday itself.

Modi earlier spoke to Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and assured all help to them in the "tough" situation.

He also talked to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

The central government's Crisis Management Committee, headed by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, is holding regular meetings to keep a watch on the situation.