Over 4,200 dead in earthquake, Nepal in chaos.

More than 4,200 people have died after a major earthquake in Nepal, and the number could rise, while search and rescue efforts are hampered by bad weather.

A Nepalese man is distraught after attending the funeral of a relative who died in the earthquake. Photo: AP

The Washington Post, citing figures released today by Nepalese authorities, reported that the death toll from the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Nepal has risen to over 4,200. More than 7,000 people were injured. Of these, at least 1,100 died in the capital Kathmandu, a city with a population of approximately one million.

The earthquake also severely affected other countries in the region. India has so far reported 66 fatalities, China 18, and Bangladesh 4, according to Reuters.

Search and rescue efforts are being hampered by heavy rain and lightning. The bad weather is forecast to continue.

A sense of panic and despair is gripping the capital, Kathmandu. People are completely overwhelmed by the immense devastation caused by the earthquake. Roads are blocked as tens of thousands of people set up camps, lying on the sidewalks because their homes have been destroyed or they dare not return for fear of further aftershocks.

Nepalese authorities appear to be struggling to rescue those still trapped in the rubble due to limited equipment. Many rescuers said they had to dig through the earth by hand and were exhausted from working through the night.

"In my neighborhood, there's clearly no sign of police presence," the New York Times quoted Sridhar Khatri from the Center for South Asia Policy Studies in Kathmandu as saying. "There hasn't even been a show of force to prevent vandalism. Some reports suggest it's on the rise."

All hospitals are facing overcrowding and a severe shortage of medical equipment. Doctors in Kathmandu had to move hundreds of patients out onto the streets after yesterday's powerful 6.7 magnitude aftershock once again shook Nepal and India.

In response to the immense damage suffered by Nepal, many countries around the world have pledged support to help the nation recover from the disaster. The United States announced it would provide one million USD in aid and send a search and rescue team to Nepal. The United Kingdom is contributing 5 million pounds (nearly 7.6 million USD). Singapore will deploy a search team of 55 people. China has also launched an emergency humanitarian aid plan for Nepal.

According to VNE