In the wake of the huge earthquake that struck Nepal on Saturday, the true scale of the devastation is emerging.
The magnitude 7.8 quake struck the country and its surrounding regions, leaving a death toll of 3,700 and rising in its wake.
These images show just some of the scenes, pictured both before and after the disaster, as the country struggles to regain its footing.
A general view of the Basantapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal
Survivors gather on an open space for safety at the Basantapur Durbar Square, damaged in Saturdays earthquake
Residents sit in a square the day after a major 7.8 earthquake hit Kathmandu
One of Kathmandu 's landmark Bhimsen towers is seen reduced to rubble after it was damaged in Saturday’s earthquake
A pillar where a statue of Garud, a Hindu divine character, stood is partially damaged after Saturday’s earthquake at the Basantapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal
Durbur Square in Patan, Nepal
SEE ALSO: Nepal Earthquake Video Shows Moment Mount Everest Avalanche Has Climbers Fleeing For Their Lives
Nepal Earthquake
CHINA-NEPAL-QUAKE(01 of58)
This picture taken on April 26, 2015 shows Nepalese students and Chinese students gathering to pray for Nepal in Nanhua University in Hengyang, central China's Hunan province. International rescue teams and relief supplies began arriving in Nepal's devastated capital on April 27 to help terrified and homeless survivors of a quake that has killed more than 3,200 people in the impoverished nation. CHINA OUT AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:STR via Getty Images)
Vigil Held In Queens, New York For Victims Of Earthquake In Nepal(02 of58)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 26: Hundreds of people gather in Diversity Square to light candles during a vigil for the victims of the earthquake in Nepal on April 26, 2015 in the Jackson Heights section of the Queens borough of New York City. A major 7.8 earthquake hit Kathmandu mid-day on Saturday, and was followed by multiple aftershocks that triggered avalanches on Mt. Everest that buried mountain climbers in their base camps. Many houses, buildings and temples in the capital were destroyed during the earthquake, leaving thousands dead or trapped under the debris as emergency rescue workers attempt to clear debris and find survivors. (Photo by Andrew Theodorakis/Getty Images). (credit:Andrew Theodorakis via Getty Images)
INDIA-NEPAL-QUAKE(03 of58)
Nepalese novice Buddhist monks who live at the Tergar monastery in the Indian town of Bodhgaya on April 26, 2015 offer prayers for the victims of an earthquake in Nepal. Powerful aftershocks rocked Nepal April 26, panicking survivors of a quake that killed more than 2,300 and triggering fresh avalanches at Everest base camp, as rescuers dug through rubble in the devastated capital Kathmandu. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:STR via Getty Images)
Vigil Held In Queens, New York For Victims Of Earthquake In Nepal(04 of58)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 26: Hundreds of people gather in Diversity Square to light candles during a vigil for the victims of the earthquake in Nepal on April 26, 2015 in the Jackson Heights section of the Queens borough of New York City. A major 7.8 earthquake hit Kathmandu mid-day on Saturday, and was followed by multiple aftershocks that triggered avalanches on Mt. Everest that buried mountain climbers in their base camps. Many houses, buildings and temples in the capital were destroyed during the earthquake, leaving thousands dead or trapped under the debris as emergency rescue workers attempt to clear debris and find survivors. (Photo by Andrew Theodorakis/Getty Images). (credit:Andrew Theodorakis via Getty Images)
Vigil Held In Queens, New York For Victims Of Earthquake In Nepal(05 of58)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 26: Hundreds of people gather in Diversity Square to light candles during a vigil for the victims of the earthquake in Nepal on April 26, 2015 in the Jackson Heights section of the Queens borough of New York City. A major 7.8 earthquake hit Kathmandu mid-day on Saturday, and was followed by multiple aftershocks that triggered avalanches on Mt. Everest that buried mountain climbers in their base camps. Many houses, buildings and temples in the capital were destroyed during the earthquake, leaving thousands dead or trapped under the debris as emergency rescue workers attempt to clear debris and find survivors. (Photo by Andrew Theodorakis/Getty Images). (credit:Andrew Theodorakis via Getty Images)
Vigil Held In Queens, New York For Victims Of Earthquake In Nepal(06 of58)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 26: Hundreds of people gather in Diversity Square to light candles during a vigil for the victims of the earthquake in Nepal on April 26, 2015 in the Jackson Heights section of the Queens borough of New York City. A major 7.8 earthquake hit Kathmandu mid-day on Saturday, and was followed by multiple aftershocks that triggered avalanches on Mt. Everest that buried mountain climbers in their base camps. Many houses, buildings and temples in the capital were destroyed during the earthquake, leaving thousands dead or trapped under the debris as emergency rescue workers attempt to clear debris and find survivors. (Photo by Andrew Theodorakis/Getty Images). (credit:Andrew Theodorakis via Getty Images)
Vigil Held In Queens, New York For Victims Of Earthquake In Nepal(07 of58)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 26: Mourners light candles in Diversity Square during a vigil for the victims of the earthquake in Nepal on April 26, 2015 in the Jackson Heights section of the Queens borough of New York City. A major 7.8 earthquake hit Kathmandu mid-day on Saturday, and was followed by multiple aftershocks that triggered avalanches on Mt. Everest that buried mountain climbers in their base camps. Many houses, buildings and temples in the capital were destroyed during the earthquake, leaving thousands dead or trapped under the debris as emergency rescue workers attempt to clear debris and find survivors. (Photo by Andrew Theodorakis/Getty Images). (credit:Andrew Theodorakis via Getty Images)
CHINA-NEPAL-QUAKE(08 of58)
This picture taken on April 26, 2015 shows Nepalese students and Chinese students gathering to pray for Nepal in Nanhua University in Hengyang, central China's Hunan province. International rescue teams and relief supplies began arriving in Nepal's devastated capital on April 27 to help terrified and homeless survivors of a quake that has killed more than 3,200 people in the impoverished nation. CHINA OUT AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:STR via Getty Images)
Vigil Held In Queens, New York For Victims Of Earthquake In Nepal(09 of58)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 26: Mourners light candles in Diversity Square during a vigil for the victims of the earthquake in Nepal on April 26, 2015 in the Jackson Heights section of the Queens borough of New York City. A major 7.8 earthquake hit Kathmandu mid-day on Saturday, and was followed by multiple aftershocks that triggered avalanches on Mt. Everest that buried mountain climbers in their base camps. Many houses, buildings and temples in the capital were destroyed during the earthquake, leaving thousands dead or trapped under the debris as emergency rescue workers attempt to clear debris and find survivors. (Photo by Andrew Theodorakis/Getty Images). (credit:Andrew Theodorakis via Getty Images)
CHINA-NEPAL-QUAKE(10 of58)
This picture taken on April 26, 2015 shows Nepalese students and Chinese students gathering to pray for Nepal in Nanhua University in Hengyang, central China's Hunan province. International rescue teams and relief supplies began arriving in Nepal's devastated capital on April 27 to help terrified and homeless survivors of a quake that has killed more than 3,200 people in the impoverished nation. CHINA OUT AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:STR via Getty Images)
Powerful Earthquake Hits Nepal(11 of58)
CHENGDU, CHINA - APRIL 26: (CHINA OUT) Rescue teams prepare anesthesia machines set for Nepal April 26, 2015 in Chengdu, Sichuan province of China. A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal on Saturday, April 25th. The quake caused houses to collapse in southeast China's Tibet Autonomous Region. The Chinese government sent out the Sichuan Rescue Team to Nepal, the only emergency medical rescue team which could who could supporl local rescue work above an altitude of 3500 meters. (Photo by ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images) (credit:ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images)
Powerful Earthquake Hits Nepal(12 of58)
CHENGDU, CHINA - APRIL 26: (CHINA OUT) Rescue teams hold a ceremony prior to setting out for Nepal April 26, 2015 in Chengdu, Sichuan province of China. A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal on Saturday, April 25th. The quake caused houses to collapse in southeast China's Tibet Autonomous Region. The Chinese government sent out the Sichuan Rescue Team to Nepal, the only emergency medical rescue team which could who could supporl local rescue work above an altitude of 3500 meters. (Photo by ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images) (credit:ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images)
INDIA-NEPAL-DISASTER-EARTHQUAKE(13 of58)
Indian residents rest and sleep in a football field in Siliguri on April 26, 2015 after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the region on April 25 in Nepal. International aid groups and governments intensified efforts to get rescuers and supplies into earthquake-hit Nepal on April 26, but severed communications and landslides in the Himalayan nation posed formidable challenges to the relief effort. AFP PHOTO / DIPTENDU DUTTA (Photo credit should read DIPTENDU DUTTA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DIPTENDU DUTTA via Getty Images)
NEPAL-QUAKE(14 of58)
Nepalese people gather near temporary shelters set up in open areas of an Army ground in Kathmandu on April 27, 2015, two days after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal. International aid groups and governments intensified efforts to get rescuers and supplies into earthquake-hit Nepal on April 26, but severed communications and landslides in the Himalayan nation posed formidable challenges to the relief effort. AFP PHOTO / PRAKASH MATHEMA (Photo credit should read PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PRAKASH MATHEMA via Getty Images)
NEPAL-QUAKE(15 of58)
Nepalese people gather near temporary shelters set up in open areas of an Army ground in Kathmandu on April 27, 2015, two days after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal. International aid groups and governments intensified efforts to get rescuers and supplies into earthquake-hit Nepal on April 26, but severed communications and landslides in the Himalayan nation posed formidable challenges to the relief effort. AFP PHOTO / PRAKASH MATHEMA (Photo credit should read PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PRAKASH MATHEMA via Getty Images)
NEPAL-QUAKE(16 of58)
Nepalese patient Sanu Ranjitkar breathes oxygen from a cylinder under a makeshift shelter in Kathmandu on April 27, 2015, two days after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal. International aid groups and governments intensified efforts to get rescuers and supplies into earthquake-hit Nepal on April 26, but severed communications and landslides in the Himalayan nation posed formidable challenges to the relief effort. AFP PHOTO / PRAKASH SINGH (Photo credit should read PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PRAKASH SINGH via Getty Images)
INDIA-NEPAL-QUAKE(17 of58)
Indian National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel prepare with sniffer dogs to be flown to Nepal to provide assistance follwoing an earthquake at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata on April 27, 2015. Tens of thousands of frightened Nepalese huddled in tents desperate for help April 27, 2015, two days after a quake killed more than 3,500 people, as international rescue teams with sniffer dogs raced to find survivors buried in the rubble. Teams equipped with heavy cutting gear and relief supplies were landing round the clock at the only international airport on the outskirts of Kathmandu, which has been devastated by Saturday's 7.8 magnitude quake. AFP PHOTO/ Dibyangshu SARKAR (Photo credit should read DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DIBYANGSHU SARKAR via Getty Images)
INDIA-NEPAL-QUAKE(18 of58)
Indian National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel prepare to be flown to Nepal to provide assistance follwoing an earthquake at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata on April 27, 2015. Tens of thousands of frightened Nepalese huddled in tents desperate for help April 27, 2015, two days after a quake killed more than 3,500 people, as international rescue teams with sniffer dogs raced to find survivors buried in the rubble. Teams equipped with heavy cutting gear and relief supplies were landing round the clock at the only international airport on the outskirts of Kathmandu, which has been devastated by Saturday's 7.8 magnitude quake. AFP PHOTO/ Dibyangshu SARKAR (Photo credit should read DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DIBYANGSHU SARKAR via Getty Images)
Prayers Meet Organised For The Victims Of Nepal Earthquake(19 of58)
MUMBAI, INDIA - APRIL 26: Citizens of Thane orgainsed prayer in Shiva Temple for victims of earthquake in Nepal on April 26, 2015 in Mumbai, India. Prayers organised for the peace of the demised victims of the earthquake that took place in Nepal on April 25, 2015. Thousands of people spending the night in the open under a chilly and thunderous sky after a powerful earthquake devastated Nepal, killing over 1,800 people. The magnitude 7.9 earthquake, which originated outside the capital Kathmandu, was the worst tremor to hit the poor South Asian nation in more than 80 years. (Photo by Praful Gangurde/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
Prayers Meet Organised For The Victims Of Nepal Earthquake(20 of58)
MUMBAI, INDIA - APRIL 26: Citizens of Thane orgainsed prayer in Shiva Temple for victims of earthquake in Nepal on April 26, 2015 in Mumbai, India. Prayers organised for the peace of the demised victims of the earthquake that took place in Nepal on April 25, 2015. Thousands of people spending the night in the open under a chilly and thunderous sky after a powerful earthquake devastated Nepal, killing over 1,800 people. The magnitude 7.9 earthquake, which originated outside the capital Kathmandu, was the worst tremor to hit the poor South Asian nation in more than 80 years. (Photo by Praful Gangurde/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
APTOPIX Nepal Earthquake(21 of58)
Rescuers clear the debris at Durbar Sqaure after an earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 25, 2015. A strong magnitude-7.9 earthquake shook Nepal's capital and the densely populated Kathmandu Valley before noon Saturday, causing extensive damage with toppled walls and collapsed buildings, officials said. (AP Photo/ Niranjan Shrestha) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
APTOPIX Nepal Earthquake(22 of58)
Volunteers help with rescue work at the site of a building that collapsed after an earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 25, 2015. A strong magnitude-7.9 earthquake shook Nepal's capital and the densely populated Kathmandu Valley before noon Saturday, causing extensive damage with toppled walls and collapsed buildings, officials said. (AP Photo/ Niranjan Shrestha) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Kathmandu Struck By Powerful Earthquake(23 of58)
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - APRIL 25: A young man speaks on the phone in front of a collapsed building in the city center following an earthquake on April 25, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal. A major 7.8 earthquake hit Kathmandu mid-day on Saturday, and was followed by multiple aftershocks that triggered avalanches on Mt. Everest that buried mountain climbers in their base camps. Many houses, buildings and temples in the capital were destroyed during the earthquake, leaving hundreds dead or trapped under the debris as emergency rescue workers attempt to clear debris and find survivors. (Photo by Omar Havana/Getty Images) (credit:Omar Havana via Getty Images)
Nepal Earthquake(24 of58)
Volunteers help with rescue work at the site of a building that collapsed after an earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 25, 2015. A strong magnitude-7.9 earthquake shook Nepal's capital and the densely populated Kathmandu Valley before noon Saturday, causing extensive damage with toppled walls and collapsed buildings, officials said. (AP Photo/ Niranjan Shrestha) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Nepal Earthquake(25 of58)
Debris lie at Durbar Square after an earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 25, 2015. A strong magnitude-7.9 earthquake shook Nepal's capital and the densely populated Kathmandu Valley before noon Saturday, causing extensive damage with toppled walls and collapsed buildings, officials said. (AP Photo/ Niranjan Shrestha) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Nepal Earthquake Avalanche(26 of58)
This photo provided by Azim Afif shows the scene after an avalanche triggered by a massive earthquake swept across Everest Base Camp, Nepal on Saturday, April 25, 2015. Afif and his team of four others from the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) all survived the avalanche. (Azim Afif via AP) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Kathmandu Struck By Powerful Earthquake(27 of58)
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - APRIL 25: A taxi is buried under debris from a collapsed building in Thamel following an earthquake on April 25, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal. A major 7.8 earthquake hit Kathmandu mid-day on Saturday, and was followed by multiple aftershocks that triggered avalanches on Mt. Everest that buried mountain climbers in their base camps. Many houses, buildings and temples in the capital were destroyed during the earthquake, leaving hundreds dead or trapped under the debris as emergency rescue workers attempt to clear debris and find survivors. (Photo by Omar Havana/Getty Images) (credit:Omar Havana via Getty Images)
Nepal Earthquake Avalanche(28 of58)
In this photo provided by Azim Afif people approach the scene after an avalanche triggered by a massive earthquake swept across Everest Base Camp, Nepal on Saturday, April 25, 2015. Afif and his team of four others from the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) all survived the avalanche. (Azim Afif via AP) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Nepal Earthquake Avalanche(29 of58)
This photo provided by Azim Afif shows the scene after an avalanche triggered by a massive earthquake swept across Everest Base Camp, Nepal on Saturday, April 25, 2015. Afif and his team of four others from the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) all survived the avalanche. (Azim Afif via AP) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Nepal Earthquake Avalanche(30 of58)
This photo provided by Azim Afif shows nightfall after an avalanche triggered by a massive earthquake swept across Everest Base Camp, Nepal on Saturday, April 25, 2015. Afif and his team of four others from the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) all survived the avalanche. (Azim Afif via AP) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Nepal Earthquake(31 of58)
Volunteers carry an injured boy after rescuing him from the debris of a building that was damaged in an earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 25, 2015. A strong magnitude-7.9 earthquake shook Nepal's capital and the densely populated Kathmandu Valley before noon Saturday, causing extensive damage with toppled walls and collapsed buildings, officials said. (AP Photo/ Niranjan Shrestha) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Nepal Earthquake(32 of58)
Rescuers look for victims under a building that collapsed after an earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 25, 2015. A strong magnitude-7.9 earthquake shook Nepal's capital and the densely populated Kathmandu Valley before noon Saturday, causing extensive damage with toppled walls and collapsed buildings, officials said. (AP Photo/ Niranjan Shrestha) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Nepal Earthquake(33 of58)
A crane removes debris from the site of a building that collapsed in an earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 25, 2015. A strong magnitude-7.9 earthquake shook Nepal's capital and the densely populated Kathmandu Valley before noon Saturday, causing extensive damage with toppled walls and collapsed buildings, officials said. (AP Photo/ Niranjan Shrestha) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Nepal Earthquake(34 of58)
A car stands under the weight of an electric pole after it collapsed following an earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 25, 2015. A strong magnitude-7.9 earthquake shook Nepal's capital and the densely populated Kathmandu Valley before noon Saturday, causing extensive damage with toppled walls and collapsed buildings, officials said. A magnitude-6.6 aftershock hit about an hour later, and smaller aftershocks continued to ripple through the region for hours. (AP Photo/Tashi Sherpa) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
APTOPIX Nepal Earthquake(35 of58)
Volunteers help with rescue work at the site of a building that collapsed after an earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 25, 2015. A strong magnitude-7.9 earthquake shook Nepal's capital and the densely populated Kathmandu Valley before noon Saturday, causing extensive damage with toppled walls and collapsed buildings, officials said. (AP Photo/ Niranjan Shrestha) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Nepal Earthquake(36 of58)
Patients wait at the parking lot of Norvic International Hospital after an earthquake hit Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 25, 2015. A powerful, magnitude-7.9 earthquake shook Nepal's capital and the densely populated Kathmandu Valley before noon Saturday, collapsing houses, leveling centuries-old temples and cutting open roads in the worst temblor in the Himalayan nation in over 80 years. (AP Photo/Binaj Gurubacharya) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Nepal Earthquake(37 of58)
People stand around damage caused by an earthquake at Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 25, 2015. A strong magnitude-7.9 earthquake shook Nepal's capital and the densely populated Kathmandu Valley before noon Saturday, causing extensive damage with toppled walls and collapsed buildings, officials said. (AP Photo/ Niranjan Shrestha) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Nepal Earthquake(38 of58)
A building stands damaged after an earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 25, 2015. A strong magnitude-7.9 earthquake shook Nepal's capital and the densely populated Kathmandu Valley before noon Saturday, causing extensive damage with toppled walls and collapsed buildings, officials said. (AP Photo/ Niranjan Shrestha) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Nepal Earthquake(39 of58)
People gather in an intersection near a damaged building in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 25, 2015. A strong magnitude-7.9 earthquake shook Nepal's capital and the densely populated Kathmandu Valley before noon Saturday, causing extensive damage with toppled walls and collapsed buildings, officials said. (AP Photo/Tashi Sherpa) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Nepal Earthquake(40 of58)
An man walks past damage caused by an earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 25, 2015. A strong magnitude-7.9 earthquake shook Nepal's capital and the densely populated Kathmandu Valley before noon Saturday, causing extensive damage with toppled walls and collapsed buildings, officials said. (AP Photo/ Niranjan Shrestha) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Nepal Earthquake(41 of58)
A man carries a dog and walks past damage caused by an earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 25, 2015. A strong magnitude-7.9 earthquake shook Nepal's capital and the densely populated Kathmandu Valley before noon Saturday, causing extensive damage with toppled walls and collapsed buildings, officials said. (AP Photo/ Niranjan Shrestha) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
INDIA-NEPAL-QUAKE(42 of58)
Indian sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik puts the final touches on his sand sculpture to commemorate the earthquake in Nepal, on a beach in Puri, some 65 kilometers from Bhubaneswar on April 25, 2015. A massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed hundreds of people April 25 as it ripped through large parts of Nepal, toppling office blocks and towers in Kathmandu and triggering a deadly avalanche that hit Everest base camp. AFP PHOTO / ASIT KUMAR (Photo credit should read ASIT KUMAR/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ASIT KUMAR via Getty Images)
Kathmandu Struck By Powerful Earthquake(43 of58)
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - APRIL 25: Emergency workers and bystanders clear debris while searching for survivors under a collapsed temple in Basantapur Durbar Square following an earthquake on April 25, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal. A major 7.8 earthquake hit Kathmandu mid-day on Saturday, and was followed by multiple aftershocks that triggered avalanches on Mt. Everest that buried mountain climbers in their base camps. Many houses, buildings and temples in the capital were destroyed during the earthquake, leaving hundreds dead or trapped under the debris as emergency rescue workers attempt to clear debris and find survivors. (Photo by Omar Havana/Getty Images) (credit:Omar Havana via Getty Images)
Kathmandu Struck By Powerful Earthquake(44 of58)
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - APRIL 25: A young man speaks on the phone in front of a collapsed temple in the city center following an earthquake on April 25, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal. A major 7.8 earthquake hit Kathmandu mid-day on Saturday, and was followed by multiple aftershocks that triggered avalanches on Mt. Everest that buried mountain climbers in their base camps. Many houses, buildings and temples in the capital were destroyed during the earthquake, leaving hundreds dead or trapped under the debris as emergency rescue workers attempt to clear debris and find survivors. (Photo by Omar Havana/Getty Images) (credit:Omar Havana via Getty Images)
Kathmandu Struck By Powerful Earthquake(45 of58)
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - APRIL 25: Flowers are left by survivors on top of debris from a collapsed building at Basantapur Durbar Square following an earthquake on April 25, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal. A major 7.8 earthquake hit Kathmandu mid-day on Saturday, and was followed by multiple aftershocks that triggered avalanches on Mt. Everest that buried mountain climbers in their base camps. Many houses, buildings and temples in the capital were destroyed during the earthquake, leaving hundreds dead or trapped under the debris as emergency rescue workers attempt to clear debris and find survivors. (Photo by Omar Havana/Getty Images) (credit:Omar Havana via Getty Images)
Kathmandu Struck By Powerful Earthquake(46 of58)
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - APRIL 25: People stand on top of debris from a collapsed building at Basantapur Durbar Square watching the destruction following an earthquake on April 25, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal. A major 7.8 earthquake hit Kathmandu mid-day on Saturday, and was followed by multiple aftershocks that triggered avalanches on Mt. Everest that buried mountain climbers in their base camps. Many houses, buildings and temples in the capital were destroyed during the earthquake, leaving hundreds dead or trapped under the debris as emergency rescue workers attempt to clear debris and find survivors. (Photo by Omar Havana/Getty Images) (credit:Omar Havana via Getty Images)
Kathmandu Struck By Powerful Earthquake(47 of58)
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - APRIL 25: Bystanders watch as emergency teams clear debris in Basantapur Durbar Square following an earthquake on April 25, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal. A major 7.8 earthquake hit Kathmandu mid-day on Saturday, and was followed by multiple aftershocks that triggered avalanches on Mt. Everest that buried mountain climbers in their base camps. Many houses, buildings and temples in the capital were destroyed during the earthquake, leaving hundreds dead or trapped under the debris as emergency rescue workers attempt to clear debris and find survivors. (Photo by Omar Havana/Getty Images) (credit:Omar Havana via Getty Images)
Kathmandu Struck By Powerful Earthquake(48 of58)
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - APRIL 25: Emergency workers and bystanders clear debris while searching for survivors under a collapsed temple in Basantapur Durbar Square following an earthquake on April 25, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal. A major 7.8 earthquake hit Kathmandu mid-day on Saturday, and was followed by multiple aftershocks that triggered avalanches on Mt. Everest that buried mountain climbers in their base camps. Many houses, buildings and temples in the capital were destroyed during the earthquake, leaving hundreds dead or trapped under the debris as emergency rescue workers attempt to clear debris and find survivors. (Photo by Omar Havana/Getty Images) (credit:Omar Havana via Getty Images)
Kathmandu Struck By Powerful Earthquake(49 of58)
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - APRIL 25: Kathmandu's residents sit in open spaces as replicas of the earthquake hit the city following an earthquake on April 25, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal. A major 7.8 earthquake hit Kathmandu mid-day on Saturday, and was followed by multiple aftershocks that triggered avalanches on Mt. Everest that buried mountain climbers in their base camps. Many houses, buildings and temples in the capital were destroyed during the earthquake, leaving hundreds dead or trapped under the debris as emergency rescue workers attempt to clear debris and find survivors. (Photo by Omar Havana/Getty Images) (credit:Omar Havana via Getty Images)
Kathmandu Struck By Powerful Earthquake(50 of58)
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - APRIL 25:A group of people listen to news updates on a radio near Basantapur Durbar Square following an earthquake on April 25, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal. A major 7.8 earthquake hit Kathmandu mid-day on Saturday, and was followed by multiple aftershocks that triggered avalanches on Mt. Everest that buried mountain climbers in their base camps. Many houses, buildings and temples in the capital were destroyed during the earthquake, leaving hundreds dead or trapped under the debris as emergency rescue workers attempt to clear debris and find survivors. (Photo by Omar Havana/Getty Images) (credit:Omar Havana via Getty Images)
Kathmandu Struck By Powerful Earthquake(51 of58)
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - APRIL 25: People stand on top of debris from a collapsed building at Basantapur Durbar Square watching the destruction following an earthquake following an earthquake on April 25, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal. A major 7.8 earthquake hit Kathmandu mid-day on Saturday, and was followed by multiple aftershocks that triggered avalanches on Mt. Everest that buried mountain climbers in their base camps. Many houses, buildings and temples in the capital were destroyed during the earthquake, leaving hundreds dead or trapped under the debris as emergency rescue workers attempt to clear debris and find survivors. (Photo by Omar Havana/Getty Images) (credit:Omar Havana via Getty Images)
Kathmandu Struck By Powerful Earthquake(52 of58)
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - APRIL 25: An army patrol walks in the city center looking at the damage following an earthquake on April 25, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal. A major 7.8 earthquake hit Kathmandu mid-day on Saturday, and was followed by multiple aftershocks that triggered avalanches on Mt. Everest that buried mountain climbers in their base camps. Many houses, buildings and temples in the capital were destroyed during the earthquake, leaving hundreds dead or trapped under the debris as emergency rescue workers attempt to clear debris and find survivors. (Photo by Omar Havana/Getty Images) (credit:Omar Havana via Getty Images)
Gurukul School Children Pay Tribute To Nepal Earthquake Victims In Mumbai(53 of58)
MUMBAI, INDIA - APRIL 26: Children studying at Gurukul School of Art pay tribute to Nepal Earthquake victims and congratulate PM Narendra Modi for sending help in less than hour, by drawing painting at Lalbaug on April 26, 2015 in Mumbai, India. (Photo by Anshuman Poyrekar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
Prayers Meet Organised For The Victims Of Nepal Earthquake(54 of58)
CHANDIGARH, INDIA - APRIL 26: Candle Light procession being taken out to seek help for victim of earthquake in Nepal by Nepalese Students, Community members and other students of Punjab University on April 26, 2015 in Chandigarh, India. Prayers organised for the peace of the demised victims of the earthquake that took place in Nepal on April 25, 2015. Thousands of people spending the night in the open under a chilly and thunderous sky after a powerful earthquake devastated Nepal, killing over 1,800 people. The magnitude 7.9 earthquake, which originated outside the capital Kathmandu, was the worst tremor to hit the poor South Asian nation in more than 80 years. (Photo by Sanjeev Sharma/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
Over 1000 Indians Being Evacuated From Earthquake-Hit Nepal(55 of58)
NEW DELHI, INDIA - APRIL 26: Sushila Jain, Manju Bhadudai and Suman Natha with family members in happy mood after evacuated from earthquake hit Nepal, arrive at the T3, international airport on April 26, 2015 in New Delhi, India. Number of evacuated Indians in six IAF flights reaches 1050. The earthquake centered outside Kathmandu, the Nepalese capital, was the worst to hit the South Asian nation in over 80 years. It destroyed swaths of the oldest neighborhoods of Kathmandu, and was strong enough to be felt all across parts of India, Bangladesh, China's region of Tibet and Pakistan. (Photo By Sonu Mehta/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
Over 1000 Indians Being Evacuated From Earthquake-Hit Nepal(56 of58)
NEW DELHI, INDIA - APRIL 26: India's Under-14 Girls football team members after evacuated from earthquake hit Nepal, arrive at the T3, international airport on April 26, 2015 in New Delhi, India. Number of evacuated Indians in six IAF flights reaches 1050. The earthquake centered outside Kathmandu, the Nepalese capital, was the worst to hit the South Asian nation in over 80 years. It destroyed swaths of the oldest neighborhoods of Kathmandu, and was strong enough to be felt all across parts of India, Bangladesh, China's region of Tibet and Pakistan. (Photo By Sonu Mehta/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
Powerful earthquake hits Nepal(57 of58)
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - APRIL 26: Local people and soldiers inspect debris of destroyed buildings after a powerful earthquake hits Katmandu, Nepal on April 26, 2015. The death toll in Nepal climbed towards 2,500 on Sunday as rescuers unearthed the victims of a powerful earthquake. There have been 773 people killed in Nepals densely-populated capital Kathmandu, while the Himalayan nations central region, close to the epicenter of Saturdays 7.8-magnitude quake, has seen 1,055 deaths. (Photo by Sunil Pradhan/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Turkish healthcare and aid organizations arrive at Nepal after powerful earthquake(58 of58)
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - APRIL 26: A truck is buried under debris of destroyed buildings in Katmandu, Nepal on April 26, 2015. The death toll in Nepal climbed towards 2,500 on Sunday as rescuers unearthed the victims of a powerful earthquake. There have been 773 people killed in Nepals densely-populated capital Kathmandu, while the Himalayan nations central region, close to the epicenter of Saturdays 7.8-magnitude quake, has seen 1,055 deaths. (Photo by Bulent Doruk/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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Nepal was under-prepared for a major earthquake despite the disaster being "almost inevitable", a British expert who was working in the country before the devastation has said.
Jon Bennett, director at Oxford Development Consultants, said the British Government had been investing in helping Nepal to prepare, offering training and equipment in anticipation of an earthquake.
He said there was a "lack of capacity", particularly at local government level, and a reluctance among very poor parts of the population to spend time and resources on planning for the future.
Mr Bennett, who was reviewing Britain's work in Nepal, told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "We have known for quite a long time that, after an 80-year period, it was almost inevitable there was going to be a large earthquake in Nepal. The British Government had indeed invested some money in the preparedness for this, along with the EU and the Americans and several others.
"It has to be said that, no matter how much effort is made in this respect, it is still a drop in the ocean. Everybody knows that preparedness is everything and yet, on the other hand, we had a situation where a government itself which has some capacity issues, especially at local government level, was struggling to get in place the kind of early warning systems and the provisions etc that would be necessary to deal with a large- scale earthquake.
"But I think, more important than that, there was a problem of attitude. For the most part, Nepalese are fairly fatalistic and it's true to say that trying to get some kind of enthusiasm for preparedness is difficult in circumstances where people are essentially very poor."
Mr Bennett said some supplies were ready in the country, with things like stocks of water for around 8,000 people stored in open playing fields.
And he told the programme it was not just about making sure stocks were in the right place.
He said: "It is also a matter of training local communities in what to do in the eventuality of an emergency and also what the British Government was funding was community responses.
"This includes first aid, it includes who to contact, what sort of contact should be made in between local communities and local government offices, and how that should be channelled up to the top.
"We also looked at early warning systems, but it has to be said that early warning systems, of course, for earthquakes are not as useful as they are for other kinds of disasters such as flooding."
Dr Steven Godby, an expert in natural hazards at Nottingham Trent University, said tectonically active and steep mountainous areas with high rainfall - such as Nepal - are among the most hazard-prone environments in the world.
He said: "As we are seeing, an earthquake can not only cause extensive damage and loss of life through the direct effects of ground shaking, but also through secondary impacts such as landslides and avalanches.
"Access to remote communities will be restricted by landslides and no doubt helicopters will be in great demand as they were during the 2005 Kashmir earthquake.
"The government of Nepal is leading the response to the earthquake with support from a United Nations Disaster Assessment and Co-ordination (Undac) team. It is important that the provision of aid is based on need rather than capacity."