Quake victims like Tamang are now busy building makeshift shelters using galvanised iron sheets and other materials.

“Tents and tarpaulins cannot protect people from heavy rainfall during monsoon. So we are building shelters ourselves,” said Tamang. The victims complained that they were compelled to build shelters on their own initiative fearing that it would be too late if they become dependent on the government or anyone else for the same. Likewise, people belonging to Majhi and Danuwar communities in Melamchi area are also constructing similar structures on their own initiative without any outside help.

“We as people do not fall in government’s priority during relief distribution, but we need shelter immediately owing to the approaching rainy season,” said a local Ram Majhi.

People of Sipaghat near Indrawati River bank are busy destroying their corn fields in order to build makeshift shelters for themselves. Local Sitaram Shrestha said they are building shelters for themselves as they do not believe that the government will be able to rehabilitate them anytime soon.

Another local Netra Bahadur Singh Thakuri said they are currently residing under cowsheds as they are left with no other alternative than this.

People of Bhotang, Baruwa, Golche, Gumba, and other VDCs are affected by the landslide triggered by the quake. They want to relocate their entire settlement to a safer place fearing further landslide. Jastina Tamang from Ichok in north-western part of the district, who gave birth to her first child only three months ago, said as her house has been demolished by the quake, she and her newborn baby desperately need a roof over their heads before the monsoon approaches.

Around 12 VDCs here are deprived of relief materials and other facilities meant for quake victims. According to Primary Health Post, Melamchi, the injured quake-victims are starting to get infected with all sorts of diseases due to poor sanitary conditions and hygiene.