Himalayas earthquake, rescue work hindered by floods and landslides

Darjeeling (AsiaNews) – Thousands slept in the open under torrential rains following yesterday's 6.9 magnitude earthquake which struck in the Himalayas of India, Nepal and Tibet. The total toll is estimated at 80 people dead, 50 of these in the Indian State of Sikkim, and more than 100,000 damaged homes. A “devastating” scene. for Fr. Felix Baretto, vicar general of the diocese of Darjeeling and parish priest of St Thomas Apostle church at Gangtok (east Sikkim).

“This morning – the priest said – there was the funeral of 28-year-old Nirmala Tamang, wife of Pastor BB Tamang. Nirmala was killed when the Believers Church at Ambithang Mangan collapsed in the earthquake”.

At the moment the most serious problem is rescue work, hampered by flood waters which show no signs of receding. “Most of the affected area is inaccessible – Fr. Baretto explains – due to landslides and mud swamped roads. The only way is by helicopter. Several workers at a hydro-electric plant, situated at an hour's drive from Mangan (a military area) are believed to have died of cold while waiting to be rescued”. Tomorrow a Caritas team will be in Mangan for a meeting with the District Collector to agree on relief work and rehabilitation together with the local Catholic Church.

Since yesterday many parts of Sikkim – which has suffered the greatest losses, at least 30 persons killed and 100 injured, – are without electricity and lthe andline telephone service is down. In the last few hours mobile telephone traffic is difficult too, overburdened with calls for help from panic gripped survivors.

Besides India, also Nepal and Tibet are counting the dead and the injured. The Nepalese government has announced at least 11 reported deaths. China's official news agency Xinhua speaks of 7 Tibetans dead and 24 injured.