The death toll in the devastating earthquake that has rocked Nepal climbed to over 4,350 on Tuesday, April 28 with more than 8,000 others injured, as Prime Minister Sushil Koirala admitted that the rescue and relief operations have not been effective. The death toll in Nepal's earthquake could reach 10,000, PM Koirala told Reuters on Tuesday, ordering intensified rescue efforts and appealing for foreign supplies of tents and medicines. "The government is doing all it can for rescue and relief on a war footing," Koirala said in an interview. "It is a challenge and a very difficult hour for Nepal."

The government has announced nine districts as highly-affected areas.

Based on human casualty, Sindhupalchowk, Kathmandu, Nuwakot, Dhading, Bhaktapur, Gorkha, Kavre, Lalitpur and Rasuwa have been declared as the most-affected districts. The government has said that altogether 60 districts have been affected by the earthquake.

Of those killed in the earthquake, 923 are from Kathmandu, 240 from Bhaktapur and 157 from Lalitpur while the rest are from outside the Kathmandu Valley.

Tremors shook northeast India on Monday, three days after a severe earthquake caused devastation in neighbouring Nepal, sending residents rushing out of their homes fearing for their safety.

The US Geological Survey said the earthquake was centred in the Indian state of West Bengal and had a magnitude of 5.1, less severe than Saturday's 7.9 quake in Nepal that has been followed by dozens of aftershocks.

"It was just now, Everything was shaking. People began to come out of their homes," a Reuters reporter in Patna said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala has admitted that the rescue, relief and search operations have not been effective. He has urged the political parties to work together in this national crisis.

A rescue helicopter is shown at the Mount Everest south base camp in Nepal a day after a
huge earthquake-caused avalanche killed at least 17 people, in this photo courtesy of
6summitschallenge.com. (Source: Reuters)

Post-quake management is challenging, Koirala said in an all-party meeting organised by Constituent Assembly Chairman Subas Nembang on Monday, April 27. The government is receiving requests from across the country for help, he was quoted as saying by 'My Republica'.

He also stressed that, the government had been unable to extend rescue efforts to several places due to a crunch of logistics and experts. The Premier also appealed to the people to donate blood.

The quake that flattened homes and buildings and the subsequent powerful aftershocks have forced people to live out in the open under plastic tents, barely shielding them from cold and rains that have pounded the city.

Nepal has issued epidemic and health warnings, media reports said.

While the rescue ops continue, mass cremations are being held for the victims of the devastating earthquake.

Hundreds were cremated in open grounds as funeral pyres burned with families of victims wailing in grief after losing their loved ones.

People perform last rites for their family members at a cremation ground after an earthquake in Bhaktapur, Nepal. (Reuters photo)