Quake survivors mourning loss, battling mental strain

By Our Correspondent,Musikot, Dec. 8: Bhima Malla, a resident of Ward No. 14 of Aathbiskot Municipality in Rukum West district, is in her early 90s. Malla, who is 92, said the recent time was the hardest one she ever faced in her life.

Malla lost her second-eldest daughter, who was 46, in the recent earthquake that jolted Western Nepal on November 3. She has been living with her youngest daughter, Sita, under a tarpaulin since the earthquake destroyed their house.

“I gave birth to 10 children in total. I lost six of my children, including three sons and three daughters, in their younger days. They all died of illnesses. I lost one more in the earthquake,” said Malla.

Malla argued that she has been in fear for more than a month as surviving through the night gets difficult with the decline in the temperature daily. “Our mother is going through mental stress”, shared Sita.

Biru Malla, a 45-year-old from the same ward, has also been unable to sleep peacefully since the earthquake. He lost his wife and five children in the disaster.

“We were 11 members in the house that night. The house fell and I fainted. Six of us were rescued, and five others died in the rubble,” said Biru.

Biru is currently living with the remaining family members in Mugra Village under a tarpaulin. “I do not have the strength to stay on the premises of my house where I lost my loved ones,” Biru exclaimed.

“Our father is not in good health since the earthquake. He is sad and in fear,” said Ramesh, 22-year-old son of Biru.

Kali Chand, a single mother in the same area, shared that she has not been able to sleep properly for a month. 

“I am always pressured with how to survive without proper food and housing. Nights are turning colder. 

We have nothing,” said Kali, who is living under a tarpaulin with her daughter.

“My mother cannot sleep. She cannot forget the losses of food grains, clothes and other properties buried under the rubble,” said Kalpana, daughter of Kali.

Ravi KC, Mayor of Aathbiskot, admitted that the survivors were affected mentally. 

“Many experts have come from different NGOs and INGOs to provide psychological and psychosocial counselling. 

They are visiting settlements and schools to provide services,” said KC.