theIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sadness over the loss of lives and damage caused by the earthquake in Nepal.
"India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and is ready to extend all possible assistance. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families, and we wish the injured a quick recovery," Prime Minister Modi wrote in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), tagging his Nepali counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda.
A 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal around 11:47 pm (Nepal local timing) on Friday, and its tremor was so strong that it was felt 700 km away from Delhi and its adjoining Indian states, including Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh.
The tremor was also felt in adjoining China. The epicenter of the quake was at the Lamidanda area in Jajarkot.
Nepali authorities fear that the death toll may rise as till Saturday morning, communication was not being established in many affected regions.
Meanwhile, PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal has reportedly left for the affected region.
"Rescue and relief operation was launched on Saturday morning and army helicopters were dispatched to the affected region, while security forces on the ground working to help injured and recover those trapped in the rubble," Nepal police spokesman Kuber Kadayat told local media.
Additionally, helicopters were deployed for medical personnel to help victims.
Nepal, which is situated on the ridge where the Tibetan and Indian tectonic plates meet, had its worst earthquake of 7.8 magnitude followed by aftershocks resulting in over 9,000 deaths in 2015.
According to the government's post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA) report, Nepal is the 11th most earthquake-prone country in the world.