KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 7

President Ramchandra Paudel today visited the earthquake-affected Jajarkot district.

The Head-of-the-State made a visit to the Jajarkot Hospital to take health updates of those injured in the disaster. During the President's visit, the survivors appealed to him for adequate medical care for the injured, and the security of food and shelter for the affected. The President assured that the needs of the affected would be addressed and he would discuss the matter with the government, according to the President's press advisor Kiran Pokhrel.

"Immediate and long-term needs of all of you will be assessed and addressed. Don't worry. I will talk to the government," Pokhrel quoted the President as saying.

On the occasion, Jajarkot's Chief District Officer Suresh Sunar apprised the President of the loss due to the earthquake and the hospital doctors briefed him of the situation of the injured.

The President reached Jajarkot today from Surkhet to take stock of the post-quake situations there.

An earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale at 11:47 pm on Friday, with its epicenter in Jajarkot, resulted in significant casualties and property damage in the districts of the Karnali Province. So far 157 have been confirmed dead in the quake in Jajarkot and Rukum west districts.

According to Pokherel, the President will visit the district headquarters Khalanga, Ramidanda, the epicenter of the earthquake, Nalgadh and Aathbiskoth of Rukum West to take stock of the progress in the rescue and relief efforts.

He is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Purna Bahadur Khadka, Chief of the Army Staff and Karnali Province lawmakers.

It may be noted that the President cancelled his Europe trip scheduled to take place from tomorrow, November 8, citing that it was inappropriate to leave the country in the wake of the devastating earthquake.