Quake-hit Taplejung folk living in fear

Taplejung, May 30:

Locals of Taplejung have been compelled to live under constant terror as the series of earthquakes that started almost three weeks ago have not yet stopped.

With their homes ravaged, many locals have been compelled to take refuge in cowsheds. Some have been compelled to live out in the open.

The locals, who have experienced over 50 jolts, are wondering why no study has been conducted in the area so far. The locals said they have no information about safety measures to be taken during earthquakes. They urged the government to organise training programmes so that they can adopt measures to remain safe during earthquakes.

One Lal Bahadur Rai of Mehele said locals have been compelled to live in fear due to government indifference. Many locals have been living out in the open because they fear to return home, while others have been living in sheds built for cattle, one Kamala Dahal of Khewang said.

The locals also demanded that a geological study be conducted in the quake-affected area. Ganesh Adhikari of the Taplejung chapter of the Nepal Red Cross, who returned to the district headquarters after a weeklong visit to the quake-affected areas, said locals were fearing more tremors.

A rescue team comprising members of the Red Cross and District Administration Office distributed relief materials in Mehele, Susamkhim, Khewang, Ambegudin and Mamungkhel.