New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today directed immediate dispatch of relief and rescue teams to earthquake-affected areas of the country as well as Nepal and ordered proper arrangements for evacuating stranded tourists from that country.

The directives came after he took stock of the situation arising from the massive earthquake at a high-level meeting attended by Ministers Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Principal Secretary Nripendra Misra and senior officials of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Indian Metereological Department (IMD).

The Prime Minister was briefed about the extent of damage to life and property received so far from various places in India and Nepal, a PMO statement said.

He directed immediate dispatch of relief and rescue teams, including medical teams to Nepal, as well as to affected areas in India, it said.

The Prime Minister also asked officials to make proper arrangements for rendering assistance in evacuation of stranded tourists, the statement added.

He was informed that the first set of NDRF teams is expected to reach Kathmandu today itself.

Modi earlier spoke to Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and assured all help to them in the “tough” situation.

He also talked to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

The central government’s Crisis Management Committee, headed by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, is holding regular meetings to keep a watch on the situation.

Quake: PM speaks to Nepal Prez

Reaching out to Nepal which has been struck by a strong magnitude quake, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke to the country’s President Ram Baran Yadav.

“PM is trying to reach Nepal PM Shri Sushil Koirala, who is abroad. He has spoken to President of Nepal Shri Ram Baran Yadav,” the PMO tweeted.

A high-intensity quake shook Nepal’s capital, causing extensive damage to buildings.

Prime Minister has also taken report of the situation in districts of UP and Bihar that are bordering Nepal besides speaking to the Sitamarhi MP.

PM speaks to CMs after quake, convenes meeting

In the wake of the massive earthquake, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke to the chief ministers of various states and convened a high-level meeting to take stock of the situation.

The Prime Minister, who is keeping a close watch on the situation, spoke to chief ministers of Bihar, Sikkim, UP and Madhya Pradesh.

“We are in the process of finding more information and are working to reach out to those affected, both at home & in Nepal,” Modi tweeted immediately after the quake whose epicentre was in Nepal and measured 7.9 on the Richter scale.

The Prime Minister has convened a high-level meeting with Ministers & top officials at 3 PM in the wake of the situation arising due to the earthquake.

A strong quake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale shook Nepal and several parts of India, including the national capital, leaving a trail of devastation in the Himalayan nation.

Modi has taken report of the situation in districts of UP and Bihar that are bordering Nepal. He has also spoken to the Sitamarhi MP, the PMO tweeted.

“PM @narendramodi has spoken to Bihar CM Shri @NitishKumarJDU ji in connection with the Earthquake.In the wake of the Earthquake, PM has spoken to Sikkim CM Shri Pawan Chamling,” PMO tweeted.

“Due to the situation, the PM also spoke to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan,” it said in another tweet.

The Prime Minister also spoke to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the situation arising in the wake of the Earthquake, the PMO said.

– PTI