Disaster Strikes During Festivals: A Recurring Tragedy

Kathmandu. The joyous festival of Bada Dashain is traditionally a great occasion for family reunions, sharing happiness, and receiving blessings from elders.

The arrival of autumn, with its blue skies, blooming marigolds and velvety flowers, along with the Malshree tunes echoing in the villages and the swinging of ping (swings), brings the Dashain festivities to life. However, looking closely at the statistics and events of the last half-decade, a sad connection between Dashain and natural disasters is evident.