The toll in Nepal in Sundays 6.8 magnitude earthquake that shook the Himalayan region has risen to 11 with at least six more succumbing to injuries on Monday. Reports of death and devastation came in from Bhaktapur in Kathmandu valley and the eastern part of Nepal,which are very close to Sikkim the epicentre of the earthquake. According to sources,at least two people died in Bhaktapur where 13 houses have suffered extensive damage. Reports from eastern Nepals Dhankuta,Sankhuwasabha and Sunsari said at least four people died in the aftermath of the earthquake. Home Ministry sources said seven people were undergoing treatment in different parts of the country. Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai,who left for New York within hours after the earthquake occurred,has issued instructions to the government to assess the loss to human lives and property and ensure necessary rescue and relief measures. But we are handicapped as we have no permanent machinery to launch effective relief and relief measures, a senior official in the Home Ministry said. The Nepal army has been assisting the civil administration in rescue and relief operations wherever it has been called. The government has announced that the next of kin of each of deceased will be given Rs 25,000 as immediate relief. Meanwhile,the British Embassy continued to face protests from the locals on Monday. Sajan Shrestha (36) and his eight-year old daughter along with another passerby were killed when the embassys boundary wall had collapsed on them on Sunday. Sajan,who was a peon-cum-guard at Danida,a Danish NGO,is survived by his wife and a seven-month old daughter. The Nepal government is yet to take up the matter with the British Embassy,said sources.
