The death toll in the massive earthquake that struck the serene country of Nepal on Saturday has surpassed 6,000, with many still unaccounted for.
An official of high rank with the Interior Home Ministry stated that so far around 6,134 deaths had been confirmed, with another 13,906 suffering from injuries. Although the rescue of few from underneath the rubble and other debris remains a flare of hope for many, the sheer extent of the destruction is becoming clear. Hundreds of thousands of villages lie in complete ruins, with around 90% of clinics and schools in some districts rendered unusable and waste.
The Nepalese finance minister, Ram Sharan Mahat, stated that the country would require at least $2bn to rebuild homes, hospitals, government offices and historic buildings and restore the original glory of the nation, further appealing for aid from international donors. “This is just an initial estimate and it will take time to assess the extent of damage and calculate the cost of rebuilding,” Mahat further stated in his comment.
Other estimates have been higher. Huge numbers of ancient monuments and important cultural buildings will also need to be restored, if they are not completely demolished. Major palaces in Kathmandu have been damaged and cracked. Other cities lie in a similar state. However, the nation has vowed to work efficiently and bring back the original fame.
