DHAKA: International aid groups and governments intensified efforts to get rescuers and supplies into earthquake-hit Nepal on Sunday, but severed communications and landslides in the Himalayan nation posed formidable challenges to the relief effort.

As the death toll surpassed 2,200, the US together with several European and Asian nations sent emergency crews to reinforce those scrambling to find survivors in the devastated capital Kathmandu and in rural areas cut off by blocked roads and patchy phone networks.

‘We know that in many areas - both rural and in some of the larger towns - have suffered landslides and roads are cut off,’ said Mike Bruce, regional communications manager for Plan International aid organization.

Although mobile networks appeared to be being restored by mid-afternoon on Sunday, he said, coverage remained sporadic, reports The Straits Times.

** Choppers reach Mt Everest base camp to rescue avalanche victims

BDST: 1729 HRS, APR 26, 2015
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