A 7.8 magnitude quake struck an area between the capital, Kathmandu, and the city of Pokhara, Nepal Saturday afternoon Philippine time.
Tremors were felt as far as India, Bangladesh, Tibet and on Mount Everest. BBC initially reported that 2,400 people had died in the quake, and that more than 5,900 had been injured. At least 539 people were killed in the Kathmandu valley. The number of casualties and injured is still rising in numbers. Rescuers are digging through the rubble of collapsed buildings in the capital trying to reach survivors,
A number of historic buildings have also been destroyed. Among those wrecked was the landmark Dharahara tower, with many feared trapped in its ruins. A nine story tower, temples and royal palaces are among those destroyed by the quake. These sites are Nepal's major tourist attractions. Little information has emerged from the epicentre, where extensive damage has been reported, and there are fears the death toll could rise yet further. It is the worst earthquake to strike Nepal since one in 1934 which killed some 8,500 people.
According to experts, great earthquakes such as the 1964 Good Friday earthquake in Alaska, have magnitudes of 8.0 or higher. On the average, one earthquake of such size occurs somewhere in the world each year. In my own observation and opinion, I think earthquakes are getting stronger and more frequent each year. Is Mother Earth trying to tell us something? Is it time to build a huge spaceship and move to Mars? I dont know, but with an optimistic mind, I think that because the Earth is getting more populated and man has been building more structures, an average earthquake can create enormous damage thus killing a lot of people. I believe nature is still running the course it is supposed to since the Big Bang. We, the human race, are just either disturbing its course, or are placing ourselves right in the middle of it.
Nepal is a country known for its gentle people and heritage that goes way back in history. It is sad to see such a beautiful country devastated by a natural catastrophe like a 7.8 magnitude earthquake. Let us come together as a people and find a way to help, in our own little way, the people of Nepal and preserve their heritage. Donations for food, clothing, medicine, and cash is deeply needed. Let us also help disseminate information on how other people could help. That is the best we can do for now while we wait for the smoke to clear from the rubbles of Nepal.
Here is where you can start: http://edition.cnn.com/2015/04/25/world/nepal-earthquake-how-to-help/index.html