Out in the cold

Authorities must act fast to avoid more deaths and hardship in the quake-affected areas.

Survivors of the November 3 earthquake in Jajarkot, Rukum West and Salyan districts who have spent three weeks in open fields under flimsy tarps, are now braving bitter cold. Those who need special care like pregnant women, postpartum mothers, newborn babies, elderly and chronic patients are the worst affected. Forget special care, they are being deprived of even basics like safe shelter, warm clothes and food. The earthquake took the lives of at least 154 people in Jajarkot and Rukum West and injured 366 others. It damaged over 35,000 houses partially and over 26,000 completely. By most estimates, the state agencies and the three security agencies in particular did a commendable job in the immediate aftermath.