Pray for Nepal as Second Earthquake Devastates More Victims

By Timothy Yap May 13, 2015 01:31 AM EDT

It's difficult to believe, but yet another earthquake has hit Nepal-only 17 days after the first one left millions of people in despair and uncertainty . On Tuesday Nepal was hit by a 7.3-magnitude earthquake which has already killed 32 people and injured over 1,000 others, with the death toll rising. Back in April the country suffered widespread devastation after a 7.8-magnitude quake killed over 8,000.

Raahi, a Gospel for Asia-supported photojournalist, was in Nepal helping with relief work when the latest earthquake struck.

"We were on our way to deliver some relief supplies to a more rural area," he said. "We had stopped for a rest, and just as we were getting out of the car, we heard screaming. I said, 'It's another earthquake. Run!' We all ran to the first open space we could find and stayed there until it stopped. People were screaming and crying.

"Kathmandu now looks like a ghost town, with only 25 percent of the shops remaining open. People are afraid to enter any buildings. Restaurants are mostly closed. Many have stopped coming into Kathmandu to work. They are too afraid.

"Tonight we will be sleeping outside the [local] Gospel for Asia office. We thought to pitch a tent, but we ran out of tents today. ...

"There is fear among everyone. You can just feel it. People who have already lost so much are beginning to lose hope. Tomorrow we will continue on with the relief work. Pray that we can get to our destination safely."

News sources indicate that at least 40 people have died and more than 1,000 people suffered injuries because of the 7.3 aftershock. Landslides have been reported in the Langtang region of the Himalayas as well as in Tibet, which has killed one person and injured three others. The government of Nepal sent out national search and rescue teams and asked the international teams that still remain in the country to help with their efforts.

The U.S. Geological Survey explained that Tuesday's quake struck at a depth of 9.3 miles, which is the same depth as the 7.8-magnitude earthquake almost three weeks ago. The quake has brought down houses and lodges in the Everest region that had been damaged by the previous tragedy, though local officials said that very few tourists remain in the area.

Writing on social media, former Hillsong worship pastor Darlene Zschech writes: "Much to pray about today, those affected by earthquake in Nepal, & our brothers in Indonesia awaiting execution ..Isaiah 60..Arise church xx"

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