IT WAS THAT DAY, I CRIED......

It was on Saturday. Most of the people were free from their daily routines. They were at homes or holidaying somewhere.  As soon as the earthquake started rattling the earth, they moved to the safer places. The streets and limited open spaces were filled with the frightening people. They were shouting and crying in fear. It was the second biggest earthquake in Nepal after the 1934 quake measuring 8.3 in Richter scale.

 Many people lost their family members along with other important things without which they cannot live. By now the death toll from the April 25 and May 12 earthquake reached 8,600. 

Over 17,000 were injured. Still many people have gone missing. Many places and areas have been hit by the earthquake. People of 39 out of total 75 districts have been affected by the earthquake. This earthquake caused serious damages to many cultural heritages such as the Dharahara, the three Durbar squares of the Kathmandu valley.

Many friendly countries around the world have been helping Nepal since they got the news of the devastating earthquake in Nepal. They have provided the victims tents, food items, water, medical necessities etc.

Nepal also received monetary support from various friendly countries of the world to rebuild the villages and cities ravaged by the quake. Many governmental and non-governmental organisations managed to distribute relief materials to the affected area.

Now, it is already over a month since we were rocked by the powerful quake. We are still feeling facing the aftershocks. The fears have not gone from the minds of the Nepalese people. The quake has badly affected all sectors of life.

.Furthermore, its focus on the need of updated building codes and their strict enforcement are still noteworthy. Every country in the aftermath of natural disaster, whether it be Costa Rica’s 1841 earthquake, San Francisco’s 1906 earthquake, Kingston’s 1907 earthquake, Tokyo’s 1923 earthquake and fire, or Managua’s 1972 earthquake or Haiti’s 2010 earthquake, reels under the multiple challenges such as recovery, relief aid, debris management, security, environmental hazards and employment. Among them, reconstruction is a challenge and an opportunity. Nepal, like San Francisco, has many difficulties in changing existing property rights to go for long-term relocation plan. However, it is not difficult if the government adopts strong determination before it really rebuilds. Though the government has already warned that the structures which have violated the building codes would be demolished in the second phase of its programs, there is still no such sign. The data provided by government
agencies show that nearly 90 per cent of structures in the valley and in other major cities do not comply with the Nepal National Building Code.

But if we all Nepalese unite and work together, we can recover soon. We can rise again. Everyone .should help each other at this situation. Just sitting and seeing the damages will not work. We should be ready to make contributions to the needy people. We can help build them shelters; we can distribute the food and other essential goods to the victims, we can help rebuild the damaged houses.

The seismologists have been repeatedly saying that no big earthquake will occur and small earthquake will continue for many days. Some people have still been living under tents whereas some have returned to their homes. Many have been rendered homeless.

At this difficult period, we should join hands to rebuild the damaged villages and towns. We should cooperate with the government to meet the needs of the poor victims. Our Motherland is in need of our help. So let’s work together forgetting all past incidents.