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Due to the earthquake that occurred on October 3 with the center point around Chainpur in Bajhang district, the children and senior citizens of the earthquake affected families of the district have started falling ill.The families of earthquake victims, displaced from their homes and compelled to seek refuge under tarpaulin, are now experiencing the harsh consequences of cold weather.

62-year-old Saune Sarki of Khaptad Chededah Rural Municipality-5 Dogdi fell ill due to cold after being forced to stay in the cold for almost two months.He expressed his pain that he was suffering from health problems such as headache, fever, cough due to cold.His family of 13 is currently compelled to reside under tarpaulin and seek shelter in a goat shed.

Due to the frequent aftershocks local residents, fearing for their safety, are hesitant to stay in structurally compromised houses and are living in the open air. The homeless victims have complained that they have not received relief materials other than normal tents.Similar to Saune Sarki, many families affected by the earthquake in the district are struggling with illnesses due to the cold and facing various health challenges.

Daya Sarki expressed concern, stating that just 19 days after giving birth, both she and her newborn have fallen ill due to the cold while residing under tarpaulin. In addition, Basanti Devi Sunar, an earthquake victim, reported that her entire family, including young children, is compelled to live under a tarpaulin, resulting in illnesses among the children.

Mankala Sarki from Khaptad Chededah Rural Municipality-5 reported that she has not received any relief assistance to date. Following the destruction of her house, she has been living in the open air without access to tarpaulin or other relief materials from any agency. Despite reporting her situation to various agencies, she has not received any assistance so far.

Khaptad Chededah Rural Municipality Chairperson, Dil Bahadur Rawat, expressed concerns about the coordination challenges in managing tarpaulin despite the destruction of 989 houses due to the earthquake.

Chairman Rawat highlights that although organizations have distributed some tarps, they have been unable to provide adequate relief according to the citizens’ needs, resulting in many residents having to live in the open air.Many houses in the village have been destroyed due to the earthquake, while even the houses that have not been destroyed are not fit for habitation due to cracks. Due to the fact that the earthquake victims are spending the night under tarps, health workers say that the most health problems have occurred in pregnant women, children and senior citizens due to the cold. According to the statistics from the District Administration Office in Bajura, a total of 7,130 houses in the district have been damaged as a result of frequent aftershocks from earthquakes. Following the 6.3-magnitude earthquake that occurred in the afternoon on October 3, the region continues to experience small aftershocks.

According to the statistics released by the District Administration Office in Bajura, a total of 7,130 houses have been damaged. This comprises 1,383 houses completely damaged, 5,029 partially damaged, and 718 deemed dangerously damaged. Similarly, 989 houses were completely damaged in Khaptad Chededah Rural Municipality, 114 in Badimalika Municipality, 110 in Triveni Municipality, 126 in Budhiganga Municipality and 17 in Budhinanda Municipality. In addition, 2 houses in Gaumul Rural Municipality 25 and Himali Rural Municipality were completely damaged.

Although there were no human casualties in the district due to the earthquake, the victims are forced to spend their nights in the cold due to the damage to their houses.They  are waiting for relief and rehabilitation.

Padam Bahadur Singh