KATHMANDU: The government will mobilise personnel from Nepali Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police to rescue people trapped under debris and clear the collapsed structures.

Chief Secretary Lila Mani Paudyal said the government did not have enough slab cutters and has therefore sought international help so that people trapped under debris could be retrieved. He said the Chinese government has assured help for the same and 60 Chinese rescuers were supposed to land in Kathmandu along with equipment needed to retrieve trapped people.

Paudyal also said that the government was seeking international help for cranes and excavators. Apart from these equipment, the government needs international experts who can help in rescue work. "At this moment we do not know how many cranes and excavators we need.

We want to mobilise both private and government cranes and excavators for rescue operation," he said, and added that the government had sought 10 helicopters to ferry injured people from 11 hardest hit districts to Kathmandu. Paudyal said the government would distribute food packets, water, and blanket and tent materials to the affected people from tomorrow. "We have prepared a list of goods we need for rescue and relief and the foreign country wishing to help us can provide materials as per our need," he added.

The Chief Secretary said Indian help had already arrived today and some more international help would start coming soon.

Apart from immediate neighbours, Nepal received assurance of help from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the US and Turkey and Japan, according to Paudyal.

Damaged historical structures

•    Dharhara (Bhimsen Stambha)

•    Basantpur Durbar ( four historical monuments including Kastmandap)

•    Gorkha Palace

•    Guheswori Gajur

•    Jaisi Dewal in Kohiti Tole

•    Hari Shankar and Uma Shankar temple in Patan

•    Kalmochan Temple in Thapathali