India steps up relief efforts; 6 more NDRF teams sent to Nepal

India on Tuesday pressed six more teams of National Disaster Response Force personnel into its relief and rescue operations in Nepal as the Himalayan country struggles to cope in the grim aftermath of the deadly earthquake which has left thousands dead and affected millions.

With the induction of the new teams on the fourth day of the disaster, the total number of NDRF teams in Nepal has gone up to 16 with 10 already engaged in rescue operations there for the last few days. Each NDRF team has about 45 personnel.

“While three new teams have landed in Kathmandu on Tuesday from Kolkata via the air route, three others have moved by road from Patna to the Nepalese capital. They are expected to reach any time,” a senior official said in New Delhi.

NDRF rescuers are at present deployed in areas like Tanu Hospital, Balajutra, Balkhu, Goodbal, Brijeshwari, Chavmati, Vasundranmunatal, Maharajganj, Gangabhu, (two teams) and Shobha Bhagwati Bridge (two teams).

“So far, the force has rescued 11 people and pulled out 73 dead bodies from the debris in Nepal,” the official said, adding that the teams have also recovered two gold bangles, a gold necklace and mangal sutra, Nepalese currency worth Rs 1,06,769 and a mobile phone during the operations.

An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle has also been taken to Kathmandu and it will be used to map the affected areas for planning deployment of resources and workforce, the official said.

The official said that Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh early on Tuesday also spoke to NDRF chief OP Singh, who is camping and supervising rescue operations in the Nepalese capital.

The NDRF chief briefed the Home Minister about the ground situation and fresh requirements for the operations, he said.