Post-quake renovations begin in Nepal as toll nears 7,700-mark

KATHMANDU: Nepalese authorities initiated post-quake renovation works today, including inspection of homes to evaluate safety, as the death toll from the devastating quake neared the 7,700-mark.

Over 2,000 engineers were deployed voluntarily to check safety of houses here in the aftermath of the April 25 temblor, the country's worst in over 80 years, and have checked over 13,000 so far.

Of the checked houses, 50 per cent are suitable for residing; 20-25 per cent are unsuitable and remaining others need renovations.

Meanwhile, the death toll due to the April 25 earthquake has reached 7,652 so far while the number of injured has shot up to 16,390 people have been injured, according to the data provided by the Home Ministry today.

Sindhupalchowk district is the worst-hit with a total death toll of 2,939 while 1,209 died in Kathmandu.

A total of 2,79,234 houses of general people have been completely damaged and 237,068 partially damaged, according to the Ministry.

The authorities also initiated the renovation of the collapsed structures at Patan Durbar Square, part of the iconic Durbar Square.

Local volunteers and Durbar Square staffers have begun the renovation of the Mahadev Temple that was partially destroyed by the 7.9-magnitude deadly quake that flattened buildings and brought down electric poles and trees.

The workers have been collecting scattered bricks from the collapsed structure. General public have been barred from entering inside the Square premises. Movement of people was dense in Patan area compared to the past few days.