155 from Assam in quake-hit Nepal, 65 untraceable

At least 155 people from Assam were stranded in Nepal where a massive earthquake on Saturday wreaked devastation. While 90 people have been tracked down, the whereabouts of the remaining 65 were not immediately known, the authorities said on Sunday.

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) was able to contact only 90 people since Saturday's massive quake.Inspector General of Police Hiren Nath said that of the 90 people, 19 reached New Delhi on Sunday. "Another batch is likely to reach New Delhi tomorrow (Monday) aboard a special flight from Kathmandu.

"We are in touch with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and officials of the external affairs and home ministries to track down the others," he said. Those who reached New Delhi will be brought to Guwahati on Monday. The Assam government had Saturday set up two helpline numbers -- 094355 52203 and 087498 60803 -- to assist family members of those from the state who were stranded in Nepal.

Nath said most of those from Assam were either tourists or had visited Nepal for medical treatment.  "Some of them went for some other work. We are in constant touch with the Indian embassy in Kathmandu and trying to get information about those missing," he added.  ASDMA Commissioner and Secretary P.K. Tiwari on Sunday said those who reached Delhi "are being taken care of. A control room has been opened at the Assam House in New Delhi too".

"Since Assam is situated in the seismically active Zone V, we have already asked the district administrations to take precautionary measures to reduce damage and save lives in case a disaster strikes," Tiwari said. Some buildings in Guwahati, Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon and Majuli developed cracks in Saturday's earthquake that wreaked havoc in Nepal. "We are surveying the buildings which developed cracks and will try to take necessary measures," he said.