The disaster has just begun in Nepal
Collected Photo
For the people of Rasuwa in Nepal, the disaster has only just begun. Those who lost their lives are gone. Those who survived are fighting every moment to stay alive. There is no food, no water and no roof over their heads. There is no medicine or medical treatment. There is only the hope that perhaps a loved one is still alive somewhere and a beating heart holding on to life.
The same scene can be seen not only in Rasuwa but also in Nuwakot, Tanahun, Chitwan, Dhading, Gorkha and Nawalparasi East and West. As of the previous day, the death toll had risen to 675. Nearly 2,400 people were missing. Among them were 320 foreign tourists.
On the 10th day of Bhadra, Wednesday, at 8:37 am, a glacier collapsed with a deafening sound, shaking the surrounding area. A flash flood began rushing down through the Bhotekoshi River. It was not merely a flood. It was like a gigantic serpentine monster. It was swallowing everything in its path. People, homes, trees, livestock, roads and bridges were all being swept away.
People were running in every direction. The screams of terrified people and the cries of animals and birds could not be heard. Everything seemed to be drowned out by the roar of the serpentine monster.
According to disaster expert Dr. Gangaram Tuladhar, he learned from Japanese disaster experts while he was a student that such a disaster could occur in Nepal. However, he never imagined that he would witness such a disaster during his lifetime.
Like Dr. Gangaram Tuladhar, people around the world may never have imagined that they would witness such a disaster. Along with losing loved ones in the sudden flooding, many have lost their homes, savings and even their livelihoods.
The most urgent needs of families displaced by the flooding are now food and safe drinking water. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, temporary shelter, food, safe drinking water and medicine have so far been arranged at Nepal Army barracks in the affected areas.
Describing the situation in Rasuwa as extremely serious, Nuwakot based journalist Navdeep Shrestha said food provided by local communities and various organizations is currently being distributed.
Although an all party agreement was reached to distribute relief through a one door system under the Chief District Officer, various groups are distributing relief separately in practice.
However, the real question is not, “Has relief arrived?” Rather, the question is, “How long will this relief last, and what will happen after that?”
Those whose homes are no longer suitable for living have been placed in temporary shelters. According to government information, rescued people have been accommodated not only in Nepal Army barracks but also in schools, open spaces and various shelters. Displaced people and outsiders are having to spend the night in extremely difficult conditions.
Local resident Kancha Tamang said some ordinary people have provided shelter to displaced people in their own homes. However, families whose homes have been completely washed away or become uninhabitable now face questions about rebuilding their homes, arranging land and resettling in safe locations.
The government has not yet made any decision on these issues.
Author: Editor, Manav Aawaj
