Jajarkot, Nov. 8: The earthquake that struck Jajarkot and the neighbouring district Rukum West Friday night levelled Lalsari Budhathoki’s house in Bheri Municipality–3.

The last few years have not been kind to Budhathoki. She lost her husband two years ago and one of her sons last year. This year, she lost her residence.

Salvaging what she could from the ruins of the building she once called her home on Monday, she told The Rising Nepal, “Everything suddenly came down while we were sleeping. My neighbours got buried by their houses and many died.” Recalling that fateful night, she shared that she was inside the house with her son and daughter-in-law when the 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck. “Fortunately, we survived.”

In her locality alone, Friday’s tremor killed 13 people. Those who died left the world. Those who survived say they are yet to receive aid.

Those who can have taken refuge in the houses of relatives. Others are staying in tents or under the open sky.

Pratima Shah is one of those presently living with relatives. She had a three-storey house but it completely collapsed, killing tenant Shova Shah. Shova’s husband Mohan Bista is receiving treatment at the Bheri Hospital. 

“We had gone to Nepalgunj for the Dashain festival so we are safe,” Pratima spoke of her and her family. “But the tragedy that befell our tenants and neighbours is beyond measure.” 

The hostel of the local Golden Boarding School was also destroyed. Thankfully, since the school was closed for the Dashain-Tihar festivities, there were no students there. Shova was also a teacher at this school.

Those who survive have now nothing. That is why many are demanding that they be given food to eat and utensils to cook them in. “We have nothing and have received nothing,” quake victim Prem Adhikari said. “If and when we receive food, please also give us means to cook that food.”