Shocked and devastated Kathmandu residents say afraid to return to their damaged homes

Shocked and devastated residents of Nepal's capital Kathmandu said Sunday that they were afraid to return to their damaged homes, a day after a powerful earthquake tore through the city, and parts of India and Bangladesh.

According to media reports, authorities in Nepal are hard pressed in trying to provide relief and shelter to thousands of people who have spent Saturday night outside in freezing temperatures and rain.

On Sunday, pictures broadcast by television stations in Nepal showed anxious people with blankets, bags and pillows walking through Kathmandu's streets looking for succour after being caught by Saturday's 7.9 magnitude earthquake.

The Home Ministry in Nepal has put the death toll at 1805, with about 4,700 injured. At least 300 have died in Kathmandu alone.

It also being reported that bulldozers, pick axes and shovels are being used by rescue teams to retrieve the trapped victims from the debris.

Saturday afternoon's earthquake was centred 80 kilometres east of Pokhara.