Quake survivors struggle to brave cold winter nights

KATHMANDU: People affected by the earthquake in Jajarkot and Rukum West are struggling to survive the cold winter nights due to a shortage of warm clothes and other relief materials.

Even two weeks after the earthquake, many survivors are still sleeping under the open sky and are vulnerable to the harsh weather conditions. Emergency relief kits, foam mattresses, and food items have been distributed by various organizations, but these meager supplies are not enough to protect the quake survivors from the cold. Children, the elderly, and new mothers are particularly affected.

Santosh Kumari of Nalgad-1, Chiuri, Jajarkot, said quake-affected people were facing difficulty protecting their children and the elderly with just tarpaulin sheets alone.

Chandra Prakash Gharti, the Mayor of Bheri Municipality, said that the delay in building permanent structures to protect the victims has added to their woes. Although the government has promised to immediately start constructing temporary structures and begin reconstruction work, the lack of adequate relief materials has led to an increase in sickness among children, pregnant women, and the elderly.

Dr. Rabin Khadka, director of the Karnali Province Health Service Directorate, said the government has deployed a team of health workers, including doctors, to the affected areas to prevent the situation from getting worse.