Seven people affected by the earthquake lost their lives in different places of the district due to the cold. Seven individuals including elderly and chronically ill residing under tarpaulin died of cold.
79-year-old Narendra Bahadur Singh of Barekot Rural Municipality-4 Jiri, 70-year-old Dume Pun of Ward No. 1 Ramidanda died on November 17. Similarly, 80-year-old Dhuleshwar Karki from Bheri Municipality-2, 70-year-old Gopal Bahadur Rawal from Nalgad Municipality-4 Lahan, 47-year-old Pampha Rawal from the same ward, 56-year-old Mansari Kami from Chedagad Municipality-13, and 89-year-old Sugili Nepali from Junichande Rural Municipality-4 Luhadah have reportedly passed away, according to Police Chief DSP Santosh Roka of the District Police Office.They died because of health problems as they didn’t have warm clothes and proper shelter to live.
Bir Bahadur Giri, Chairperson of Barekot Rural Municipality, stated that over 50 earthquake-affected individuals suffering from diarrhea, cold, and fever seek medical attention daily at health institutions. Earthquake victims are experiencing insufficient access to food and warmth, with those suffering from chronic lung, heart, and asthma conditions facing additional challenges. Citizens relying on prescribed medications are encountering difficulties in obtaining regular supplies due to their homes being damaged in the earthquake.
Badri Panta, Ward Chairperson of Nalgad Municipality-4, reported that citizens residing under tarpaulin, enduring days and nights by relief funds, are now falling ill due to the harsh cold conditions. He explained that despite distributing relief materials from the district at a rate of one per family, residents started falling ill as they were unable to beat the cold effectively.
Due to the lack of enough clothes to cover the cold and winter,individuals are forced to spend day and night under the fire.The situation has particularly impacted pregnant women, senior citizens, and children, as well as individuals suffering from pneumonia, asthma, and heart conditions. Lighting fires remains the only viable option for them in these challenging circumstances.
Naresh Shah from Bheri Municipality-3, residing under tarpaulin after his house was damaged in the earthquake, expressed concern about the heightened risk of illness for his children more than himself.
Bheri Municipality-1 Rawatgaon witnesses substantial property loss, as conveyed by Deepak Nepali Baadi of Bheri Municipality-1. Citizens are grappling with health issues due to insufficient winter clothing. He emphasized the absence of alternative options, stating that lighting a fire becomes necessary as sustaining warmth is challenging with just one bag of relief goods under tarpaulin. In numerous locations, cultivated crops like wheat, chickpeas, and lentils suffered damage due to the placement of tarpaulin on the farmland. With the government yet to organize provisions for food, clothing, and shelter, the potential for significant harm has Increased.