History suffers tectonic blow

Speaking to Millennium Post over telephone Nepal’s Minister of Information and Communication, Minendra Rijal, said: “I have no words to describe the devastation. We saw historic monuments collapse like a pack of cards. Some have also developed fissures.”

Elaborating more, he said: “The nine-storey Bhimsen Tower at the heart of Sundhara in Kathmandu collapsed with several people trapped inside. There are least possibilities of survival for those who are trapped in the debris. The rescue operation is going on.” The architecture of the tower was designed in Mughal and European style. A small statue of Lord Shiva was placed on the top of the tower.

Bhimsen Tower, also known as Dharahara Tower was built in 1832. The historic landmark had been open to visitors for the last 10 years. It had a viewing balcony on its eighth floor and during the tremor, many tourists were standing on the balcony. The tower is close to the Patan Durbar Square, which is listed as one on the UNESCO heritage site. The 50.5-metre-high historic tower was reduced to just its base flattening the minaret and trapping hundreds of visitors under its debris. 

According to unconfirmed sources, around 180 bodies have been retrieved from the rubble so far, police said, adding that several people were still trapped under the debris. 

Rescue workers were seen retrieving bodies from the debris and the people on the spot desperately tried to dig through piles of bricks and dust with their bare hands. 

The powerful quake didn’t spare the world famous Pashupatinath temple either, which is close to the Kathmandu Airport. Though there was no major damage to the temple but minor fissures have developed at some parts. 

“With the blessing of Lord Pashupatinath, nothing major happened to the temple. There are some minor cracks, which can be repaired. Everybody is safe and temple will remain closed for the coming few days,” said Govinda Tandon, a senior member of Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT).

The Singha Durbar, largest Royal palace in Asia, presently housing many Nepal ministry offices, was also damaged. However, the extent of damage is yet to be ascertained. The historic monument was built by the Rana Dynasty.

Others temples and monuments, which have suffered the blow include, Thakurbhaari Temple, Upardang Gadhi at Narayani and Manimokundeshwar temple at Tanahu.

Ranjit Rae, the Indian Ambassador in Nepal said: “Many old towns in the Kathmandu Valley have been affected in the earthquake. We are fully engaged in the rescue and relief operation with plenty of aid having already reached Kathmandu from India.”