Okhaldhunga, Dec 24

Earthquake victims of the hilly areas of Khotang district have been compelled to live with the biting cold after the mercury went down.

The victims, whose houses were destroyed in the April 25 disaster at Jantarkhani, Patle, Rawadolu, Bhusinga, Khijiphalante, Shreechaur, Khijikati, Khijichendeshwori, Bilandu and Bigutar among other VDCs of the district, are living in temporary huts.

They have been affected the most. It is said that many of them are suffering from cold-related diseases and the number of such patients has increased in the health facilities.

Locals said that elderly citizens and children are suffering from different diseases. The victims said that children were suffering due to pneumonia and common cold, while elderly people were suffering from fever, throat pain, headache and stomach-ache among other diseases due to the cold.

Maiya Devi Dahal, a teacher of Shree Sherpa Community Primary School, Babgutar, said the students’ attendance was irregular due to the severe cold.

Similarly, Pasang Kaji Sherpa, a local of Bigutar said the quake victims were yet to receive the government-provided relief fund. The victims accused the state of not taking the matter seriously.

Meanwhile, civil society leader Dev Kumar Dahal said the real victims did not get relief materials though different organisations had distributed rice, pulses, tents, and blankets, among other materials, in the villages.

“The real victims did not get relief materials due to lack political approach,” he added. He said safe homes protected from the clod were needed. Locals complained that they had yet to receive the government’s relief fund.