With death toll from Saturday's devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake reaching 3,000, Nepal is struggling to deal with the problems caused by the main as well as the strong aftershocks taking place in the region. United Nations estimate that nearly 5 million people were affected by the worst earthquake in Nepal in the last 80 years.
Based on the scientists' latest estimates, the magnitude of the earthquake was set to 7.9, about 40% stronger that the 7.8 that was initially reported. Saturday's event is estimated to be half the size of the previous major event occurring in 1934, leaving 10,000 human losses. The death toll in Kathmandu is very likely to rise and match the 1934 record.
According to geophysicists this disaster has been long expected. After monitoring the movement of the tectonic plates, it is known that the subcontinent of India is being driven at a speed of about 1.8 inches per year underneath Nepal and Tibet. The particular movement has produced earthquakes on a regular basis in Nepal as well as other adjacent countries, raising mountains to heights of several miles. It is also interesting that India was pushed about 12 feet into Nepal during the last 81 years, since the last most destructive Bihar earthquake in 1934. Saturday's earthquake occurred along a fault plane of about 1,000 to 2,000 square miles, spreading under the cities of Kathmandu and Pokhara in one direction and the entire Himalaya mountain width in the other. Part of India slid from 1 to 10 feet to the North and underneath Nepal in only a few seconds.
Landslides are obstructing rescue efforts, after damaging the local road network. Many communities can only be approached by helicopter, while Matt Darvas, a member of the aid group World Vision stated that entire villages of 200, 300 up to 1,000 people could be completely buried by rock falls", raising fears that the number of fatalities may further increase. The city of Kathmandu has sustained significant damage, many historical landmarks have been destroyed, and people spend the nights in open spaces. A massive avalanche was triggered in Mount Everest, burying the base camp under the snow. Camps II, III and IV located higher in the mountain are also cut off and concerns are expressed about the lives of the climbers trapped in the mountain. At least 18 people are reported dead and 61 injured.
The damage is obvious across the country, with collapsed buildings, residences, toppled cultural monuments, destroyed road network and damaged communications infrastructure. According to the IHS, the economic costs of the earthquake could exceed $5 billion, an amount that is equivalent to 20% of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP).
Have a look at the video below, taken from the security cameras of a hotel and visit the photo gallery that follows for an overview of the destruction and the state of historical landmarks before and after the event.
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