The first segment of the emergency rescue and relief contingent comprising of 44 Army personnel and 4 Civil Medical Consultants left for earthquake-struck Nepal this morning, the Army media said.

The army personnel will assist ongoing rescue and relief operations in the densely-populated Kathmandu valley, devastated by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake which has reportedly claimed at least 1,400 lives.

Another team comprising of 156 rescuers, including 14 sailors, 11 airmen and 4 Civil Medical Consultants, are expected to leave for Nepal soon, the Army said.