Taplejung, May 18:

Fear among locals of Taplejung’s eastern region, which is witnessing a recurrence of quakes since three days, has not subsided. To add to their agony, the rescue operations were not carried out in an effective manner. The quake-affected people are spending nights under the open sky.

Mudslides and stone coming loose continued in the area today as well after the quake, police quoted affected locals as saying. Mukubhanjyang of Mehele VDC was the most affected, said one Gyanu Shrestha from Mehele over phone. Cracked have appeared in many houses and some of them have crumbled after the quake while the local school was damaged and classes are disrupted, he added.

According to the latest information, the area has received 15 jolts since Wednesday 10:00 am. The jolts have sparked fears of a volcanic eruption, Gyanu said. Locals said a volcanic eruption occurred at Mehele’s Sadhukuti years ago. Nights were spent in the open even during rainfall, said Naindra Rai from Surungkhim. Taplejung CDO Himnath Dawadi said locals were alarmed at the repeated jolts. Though a police team was dispatched, the rescue operation is facing challenges due to remoteness and pre-monsoon rain. Police and Red Cross personnel were also sent from Tellok, Dawadi said.