Heavy rains accompanied with thundershowers over quake hit Kathmandu have once again put relief and rescue operations on hold.
In the wake of recent showers, Kathmandu airport has been shut. As per the latest forecast by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, rainfall is likely to continue for another two to three hours, easing out thereafter.
We are expecting rescue operations to resume once again late in the night . Till then, both domestic and international flights have been stalled.
Updated on April 26, 05:30 pm: Rescue operation resumes as Kathmandu airport reopens
Kathmandu's Tribhuvan airport has been re-opened for the rescue operation, after being shut temporarily for over two hours as fresh quake tremors rocked Nepal again on Sunday afternoon.
As per latest news reports, both the domestic and international flights have resumed operations. Rescue teams are currently operational in all 29 districts in Nepal as the official death toll in Nepal has now crossed 2263, reported by Firstpost.
Hundreds more are feared to be still buried under the debris. “We are afraid that death toll may rise up to 5000-10,000,” said Baburam Bhattarai, former Nepal Prime Minister.
The strong aftershock measuring 6.7-magnitude had stalled the ongoing rescue and relief operations. Several flights were diverted to Delhi or other Indian cities, while the ones preparing for departure to the city were put on hold.
The worst-affected districts of Nepal include Gorkha, Dhading, Rasuwa, Sindhupalchok, Kavrepalanchok and Dolakha.
Meanwhile, Indian Air Force has stepped up rescue operations as they carried out sorties to evacuate people, who were mostly locals.
“After ferrying 546 Indian citizens back to India from Kathmandu, the personnel of Indian Air Force on Sunday in support of the Nepalese Army, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has rescued 171 people in 21 sorties,” Sitanshu Kar, the spokesperson for the defence ministry told media.
The IAF has deployed four MI-17-V5 and two MI-17 choppers. The Indian Army had launched 'Operation Maitri' on Sunday to rescue people trapped in the aftermath of the massive earthquake.
Picture Courtesy: www.ndtv.com
