Nepal PM visits earthquake-hit Gorkha and Sindhupalchowk districts

Kathmandu: Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala today visited Barpak in Gorkha district, the epicentre of the deadly quake, 11 days after the temblor jolted the Himalayan nation, to take stock of the situation.

During the visit, he pointed out the need for formation of a separate ministry to deal with the aftermath of any natural disasters in the future.

Visiting Barpak and other quake-affected areas in the district, Koirala said that the government was fully committed to carry out relief works, and the rehabilitation of the damaged houses and communities would begin soon after the relief distribution ends.

"Tents and foodstuffs are in much demand here and the government is coordinating with neighbouring countries to deal with the post-quake situation," Koirala said.

The premier said he was discussing the issue of rebuilding the houses damaged by the April 25 temblor.

Koirala also said that all political parties have agreed to jointly deal with the current crisis.

The parliament meeting on Thursday would chalk out a future course of action to tackle the situation, he said.

The prime minister had flown into the district on a Nepal Army chopper and carried out an aerial inspection of the quake-hit areas.

Yesterday, he had visited Sindhupalchowk district, situated in the east of Kathmandu and the worst-hit by the 7.9-magnitude April 25 temblor.

More than 3,000 people were killed in the district as the total death toll rose to 7,557. The number of injured has reached 14,536, according to officials.