KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 9
It has been many weeks since Hira BK of Aathbiskot in Rukum West visited her maternal home. Managing time for her brothers and their children became challenging amid her household chores, leaving her overwhelmed with longing to see them.
Finally, on November 3, she found the time to visit her siblings. Upon arrival, Hira was warmly greeted and received with hospitality by her brothers. Delicacies were offered, and they spent quality time catching up. As the clock struck 11:30 pm, they realized the lateness of the hour and decided to retire for the night, promising to reconvene in the morning.
Less than 20 minutes after Hira settled into bed, the house began to shake and collapsed within moments. Trapped under the debris, Hira and her family were fortunate to be rescued by villagers who had escaped the calamity after an agonizing half-hour.
While Hira survived, her sister succumbed to injuries suffered in the disaster. Recounting the ordeal, Hira's brother's daughter desperately cried for help. "Sister, save me!" These haunting words continue to echo in Hira's mind. She lamented, "If she had been rescued a bit earlier, she could be with us now."
Reflecting on the tragedy, Hira shared, "My brother's daughter is gone forever, and my brothers are in tears with injured bodies. We find ourselves amidst pain and challenges."
Survivors of the November 3 earthquake in Jajarkot and Rukum West face similar situations. Grieving the loss of loved ones, they also grapple with the immense challenge of meeting their basic needs. While emergency assistance from the government and various agencies has been deployed, it has not been smooth or adequate.
Psychoanalysts warn that survivors may face psycho-social issues and require timely intervention. Women and children in the quake-stricken areas are particularly vulnerable to this risk."