National
Snowfall adds to suffering of Gorkha quake survivors
Quake survivors living at Gupsipakha temporary camp in Laprak have been reeling under the shortage of drinking water following a snowfall in the area.Sudip Kaini
Quake survivors living at Gupsipakha temporary camp in Laprak have been reeling under the shortage of drinking water following a snowfall in the area.
Victim Dambar Gurung said they are facing hardships due the shortage of drinking water. “Tap water dried up after the snow froze their source,” he said, adding that local people are drinking water these days melting the snow.
Bishmaya Gurung, another local, said they are compelled to use firewood to heat water. “We cannot even make fire
as available firewood is
wet,” she said. The quake displaced, however, are relieved as the pile of snow has started melting.
Ganesh Gurung, a local resident, said relief materials, including warm clothes, reached snow-hit settlements. A team of health workers from the Nepal Army (NA) reached the snow-covered settlement of quake survivors on Tuesday morning and rescued a girl. The team also provided treatment to around 200 people who were suffering from cold-related health problems. Dr Bindu Pandey KC said a majority of the locals showed symptoms of common cold and diarrhea and they were found to be suffering from skin infection.
The NA team also distributed sleeping bags, blankets, tarpaulins and foodstuffs to the quake-hit people. The relief and rescue works come to a halt as weather condition deteriorated. Sudip Joshi, a social worker involved in relief distribution, said they could land helicopters ferrying relief materials at Gupsipakha on Tuesday afternoon. As a result, the NA team had to walk to the Barpak area as their helicopter could not land at their destination.
Meanwhile, people living in temporary shelters have demanded permanent houses. Quake survivor Marshing Gurung said local bodies should start constructing permanent houses or shelters for quake-hit people. “Their work will not be completed just by providing warm clothes and foodstuffs,” he said.
As the snow started melting, vehicles are plying local road networks connecting Barpak, Laprak, Gumda and other areas in the district. Telephone service, which was obstructed earlier, has also been resumed in the snow-hit areas.
Nepal Army provides clothes, foodstuffs
Nepal Army has expedited distribution of warm clothes and foodstuffs to snow-hit earthquake survivors in various districts. A total of 1,800 families from Gorkha, Dolakha and Nuwakot districts received bedding, tarpaulin, blankets and dry food from the army. According to Army Headquarters, a total of 2,400 beddings, 1,800 tarpaulin and an equal number of blankets were distributed to the affected families. In addition, the army also distributed over 5,000 packets of non-veg food and biscuits. (PR)