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Thousands of people rendered homeless after Friday’s earthquake are facing a shortage of food, tents and medicine. Though government ministers are pouring in the affected areas and the government is talking about providing essentials to the people, the situation on the ground is different.

Daily essentials are yet to reach several places and people including children are living under the open sky in the absence of tents. According to Suresh BK, a resident of Chiuritol, 13 people lost their lives in the village while several others were injured in the earthquake. At least 56 houses in the village were completely destroyed while 110 houses, although still standing, have become inhabitable, said BK.

The villagers have been waiting for help to arrive. “But so far, we have not received any. All our crops, grains, food, clothes and other valuables lie buried in the debris. We haven’t been able to retrieve anything as there are no security personnel to help us,” he said. “It is unbearably cold outside and none of us have had any sleep since Friday night.” Though dozens of organizations have pledged to provide aid to earthquake victims, they are yet to reach the affected people.

Rescue and search teams said on Monday that the first part of their mission—to rescue survivors, get the injured to treatment and search for bodies—was over. “Now we are working on the second phase of our work to distribute relief material, get aid to the villagers, and at the same time we are collecting details about the damages,” government official Harish Chandra Sharma said. 

In Chepare, villagers were going through piles of rocks and logs that used to be their homes on Monday, looking for anything they could salvage. “Most of what belonged to us is under the rubble, all our beds, clothes, whatever jewelry and money we had, it's all under there,” Nirmala Sharma said, pointing to her wrecked home.

She said they got a tent and some food on Sunday night. Authorities distributed rice, oil, instant noodles and salt in the village, to last them for a few days. Tarpaulin and plastic sheets made for temporary shelters for a lucky few while thousands of others spent a third night in the cold.

Mina Bika said her family was sleeping on Friday night when the ceiling fell and buried them. A relative rescued them. Her husband was badly injured and taken to hospital in the town of Surkhet while she and the couple's two sons were only lightly hurt.

“It felt like the world had collapsed and I was not sure if anyone had even survived and would be able to help,” she said. Most of the homes in the villages in the districts of Jajarkot and Rukum—where houses are traditionally built by stacking rocks and logs—either collapsed or were severely damaged but even the few buildings made out of concrete were also damaged.

Almost half of those killed in the earthquake on Friday were children, it has been found. According to data with the police, 78 of the 153 people killed in the quake on the night of Nov 3 were children. Of the deceased children, 50 died in Jajarkot and 28 in Rukum West due to the quake, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Santosh Roka.

Twenty eight of 52 people who died in the quake in Rukum West were children, said the district police chief Namraj Bhattarai. “Most of the deceased in Rukum West were children. Two 10-month-old children have also lost their lives,” he said. According to the Jajarkot police, of the 105 deceased in Jajarkot, 50 were children, 33 women and 18 men. In Rukum West, 16 women and eight men died in the quake.

Sixteen thousand five hundred and seventy houses have been completely destroyed due to the earthquake in the six local levels in Rukum Paschim. Chairman of the District Disaster Management Committee and Chief District Officer, Hari Prasad Panta, said that this number might increase as data collection is still under way in the district. Based on the data presented by the municipality mayors and the rural municipality chairpersons in the Committee meeting, the highest number of houses have been damaged in Aathbiskot Municipality of the district. It is stated that 7,148 houses have suffered complete damage in Aathbiskot Municipality, followed by 3,146 houses in Sanibheri Rural Municipality.

Seven hundred and twenty-two houses in Sanibheri have been partially damaged by the Friday night tremor. Similarly, 1987 houses have been completely damaged and 4.374 houses partly damaged in Chaurajahari Municipality while 2,300 houses have been completely destroyed and 3,500 partially damaged in Musikot Municipality. Likewise, 1935 houses have been completely damaged and 1,258 houses partially damaged in Triveni Rural Municipality while 18 houses have suffered complete damage and 107 houses partial damage in Banfikot Rural Municipality, it is stated. 

Agencies

Nepal’s Himalayas, often referred to as the "Third Pole," play a pivotal role in the world's climate system. These towering mountains are adorned with glaciers, snow, permafrost and an intricate network of rivers, forming a fragile and interconnected cryosphere. The impact of climate change on the Himalayas is profound, with far-reaching consequences affecting the region's water resources, hydropower potential and the livelihoods of its people.

At grave risk

Nepal's glaciers are retreating at an alarming rate, consistent with the global trend. The rapid melting of glaciers poses a significant threat to the country's freshwater supply. As the glaciers diminish, water resources become less predictable and water scarcity issues intensify. A study conducted in the Sagarmatha region showed that the glaciers in the region will decrease 39-52 percent by 2050 relative to present day. A recent assessment report published by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and UNDP states that the rate of glacier mass loss in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region has increased by 65 percent from 2000-2009 to 2010-2019. Also, snow cover extent is in negative trend with indication of seasonal shift. Furthermore, the permafrost, which holds together mountainsides and acts as a natural dam for glacial lakes, is thawing due to rising temperatures. The melting of glaciers and thawing permafrost can lead to formation and development of potentially dangerous glacial lakes. Glacial lakes have increased from 1,466 with an area of 64.78 km2 in 2010 to 2,070 with area of 85.08 km2 per the report. About 47 glacial lakes are considered as potentially dangerous glacial lakes in the three transboundary river basins of Nepal. An increasing melting of glaciers and thawing permafrost can lead to catastrophic glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), endangering downstream communities and infrastructure.

Water crisis

The availability of freshwater from the melting of glaciers, snow and permafrost is the lifeblood for Nepal, and its precarious balance is threatened by climate change. The Himalayan region provides water to over a billion people across South Asia. The erratic and shifting patterns of precipitation, combined with the retreat of glaciers, are disturbing this balance. Nepal's agriculture, a primary source of livelihood for a majority of the population, is vulnerable to these changes. Prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall patterns are impacting crop yields and food security. As a result, the local economy and the livelihoods of many Nepalis are under immense strain.

Energy generation

Nepal possesses substantial hydropower potential, which has been considered a cornerstone for the country's economic development and energy security. There is a high potential for the export of the renewable energy (hydroelectricity) to energy-deficit countries from Nepal, which can contribute significantly to the country’s GDP and economy. However, climate change has brought forth new challenges to the sector. Changing hydrological patterns, caused by melting glaciers and altered precipitation, can lead to fluctuations in river flows, potentially disrupting hydropower generation. In addition, increasing frequency of cryospheric hazards such as GLOFs and associated cascading hazards in this region will have direct impacts on the sustainability of these projects. Hydropower projects might need to adapt to these variations, which can result in additional costs. Nepal government's ambitious plans to harness hydropower resources to export electricity to neighboring countries face increasing uncertainties due to climate-induced variations in river flows and the overall sustainability of these projects.

The way forward

On the adaptation front, the government, in collaboration with international organizations, including Green Climate Fund, is focusing on building resilient infrastructure. Such assistance is crucial in enhancing Nepal's adaptive capacity in the face of climate uncertainties. Adaptation measures can help reduce vulnerabilities, loss and damage are inevitable in a changing climate. Nepal has experienced several disasters like recurring GLOFs from rapidly retreating glaciers. These events have resulted in significant economic losses and the displacement of communities. Nepal is actively participating in global climate negotiations, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement. Such participation helps the country to advocate for equitable solutions and assistance.

However, the need for climate finance far exceeds the available resources. While international pledges have been made, the disbursement of funds has been slow, hindering Nepal's ability to address immediate climate-related challenges effectively. The nation seeks increased transparency and faster access to climate finance to bolster its climate resilience and mitigate the ongoing impacts of climate change. The adaptation actions also need to be expanded in the high mountain region in the form of minimizing risks from potentially dangerous glacial lakes and other cryospheric hazards.

A turning point

The recent visit of the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, to Nepal's mountain region is an acknowledgment of the country's pivotal role in the global climate system. The UN chief has sent a clear message of the worst climate change impacts on the Nepal Himalayas by pointing out that “glaciers are retreating but we cannot retreat and we must move forward for climate action”. The subsequent participation of Nepal in COP28 signifies its commitment to addressing climate change at the highest levels of international diplomacy. It will provide a platform for Nepal to voice its concerns and solutions for our Himalayas to the global community. The impact of climate change on the cryosphere, water resources, hydropower and livelihoods in the Himalayas need to be at the forefront of these discussions. The visit of the UN chief and Nepal's active participation in COP28 collectively signal a turning point in addressing climate change impacts on the Nepal Himalayas.

Efforts to promote sustainable practices, build climate-resilient communities and diversify the economy are steps in the right direction. By tackling climate change head-on and fostering international collaboration, Nepal can pave the way for a sustainable and secure future in the breathtaking but fragile world of the Himalayas.

Amid frantic search and rescue efforts that are coming to a close, earthquake survivors are awaiting food, shelter and medical treatment from the government that is trying hard to get its acts together, in a grim reminder of the 2015 Gorkha earthquake that killed about 9,000 people and caused loss of infrastructure worth billions of rupees. Hundreds of survivors are spending the night under the open sky after their houses collapsed as a mag-6.4 earthquake hit Jajarkot and east Rukum late Friday.

The emergency meeting of the Council of Ministers held at Singha Durbar on Sunday decided to set up the main liaison office at Surkhet and the auxiliary liaison office at Nepalgunj to make the search, rescue and relief distribution effective.

“The government will provide Rs 200,000 to each bereaved family and government hospitals will provide free treatment to the injured. Makeshift shelters will be managed for the affected,” said government spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma.

“Since the reconstruction work cannot be effective through the traditional construction method and the existing procurement act, there is a demand to do the reconstruction work through a robust and effective mechanism. An action plan will be formulated accordingly,” the government spokesperson said. 

The modality for providing subsidies for the quake victims to construct houses also figured in the meeting. “Genuine victims should get subsidies, and the houses built should be properly utilized,” said Sharma. The meeting also decided to provide lunch expenses to those deployed in the search, rescue and relief distribution and asked one and all to be patient in this time of disaster.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has issued directives for making the relief and rehabilitation for the Jajarkot earthquake victims effective. Addressing the meeting of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management National Council at Singha Durbar on Sunday, he instructed relevant authorities to conduct relief and rehabilitation operations effectively.

PM Dahal expressed sorrow over the loss of life and properties resulting from the quake and stressed the need to utilize the disaster as an important opportunity for reconstruction.

The 13th meeting of the council was convened to discuss the damage resulting from the earthquake, and the steps the government needs to take in the aftermath of the disaster. On the occasion, PM directed all to be serious in making the post-quake rescue, relief and reconstruction effective, describing the steps taken by the three tiers of the government and other bodies right after the disaster as “positive”.

He said preparations have been made to undertake post-disaster works in a prompt manner by making suitable changes in the existing Acts, regulations and structures based on the best practices in the aftermath of the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake.

“I thank all the parties, the federal government and various agencies, the provincial government and the local governments for their post-earthquake initiatives. We have carried out search and rescue operations. Now we need to concentrate on relief and rehabilitation,” the PM reiterated. 

He directed all concerned to manage warm clothes for the earthquake victims and make medical treatment for the injured more effective. Reminding that Nepal is a country vulnerable to natural disasters, the PM acknowledged that the government’s disaster preparedness has not been adequate.

“For the next three days, let us make maximum efforts for relief. The existing Acts, procedures and structures may have to be amended to make reconstruction works more effective. We need to make a sound review of our past experiences as well,” PM Dahal reiterated. 

While 157 people have lost their lives in the quake, six more survivors have been brought to Nepalgunj-based Bheri Hospital for treatment from Jajarkot and Rukum, said Banke’s Chief District Officer, Shrawan Kumar Pokharel. They are among 38 quake survivors brought from the quake-hit districts to Nepalgunj for treatment.

Open air medical facility

A 10-bed health facility at Barekot, the epicenter of the quake, is attending to those injured in the quake in the open as the jolt has also damaged its building. Senior ANM Kalpana Rokaya said temporary arrangements are in place for providing healthcare services majorly targeting the quake survivors. Meanwhile, Jajarkot continues to experience the aftershocks of Friday’s quake.  

Seismological team in Jajarkot

A team from the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center at Lainchaur has reached Jajarkot to conduct a study on the mag-6.4 temblor. The team under senior seismologist Lokvijaya Adhikari will carry out a comprehensive study and research on the quake, said director-general of the Department of Mines and Geology, Ram Prasad Ghimire. Meanwhile, senior seismologist Adhikari said that the Jajarkot earthquake was not an aftershock of the Bajhang earthquake, but a new one. Four aftershocks have occurred following the earthquake that hit Ramidanda of Jajarkot. An aftershock of mag-4.5 was recorded the same night at 12:08 pm, followed by mag-4.2 jolt at 12:29 pm, mag-4.3 jolt at 12:35 pm and mag-4.2 quake at 3:40 on Saturday afternoon.

My Dashain read was ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ by Richard Osman. The book had been sitting on my shelf for over two years now. I wanted something light and fun to read during the festive season to get my mind off things and I had heard great things about it, with many people calling it a ‘cozy murder mystery’. Osman’s debut book, the film rights of which was snapped by Steven Spielberg, reminded me of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five and made me very happy.

Coopers Chase is a luxury retirement village with 300 residents in the Kent countryside in England. Every week, four senior citizens meet to investigate unsolved murder cases. The cases come from the files of a former police officer, Penny Gray, who is also the club’s founding member. But she is now lying comatose at a nursing home. So, it’s Elizabeth, probably a former spy for the MI5, Ibrahim Arif, a psychiatrist, Ron Ritchie, a former trade union hero, and former nurse Joyce Meadowcroft who meet to discuss and solve cold cases.

In The Thursday Murder Club, Ian Ventham, the owner of Coopers Chase, plans to expand the village. But that means having to dig up and relocate the bodies of nuns buried in the cemetery. The residents, especially the religious ones, aren’t happy about this. Then Ventham’s right-hand man Tony Curran is found bludgeoned to death and that soon opens a box of secrets that somebody would like to bury at any cost. Enter the police—DCI Chris Hudson and PC Donna De Freitas—who, along with the murder club members, try to figure out just what is going on.

The book isn’t your regular, pacy thriller. In fact, it’s slow and the scenes don’t flow. There are a lot of personal stories of the characters interspersed within the main narrative. But humor, and prickly British humor at that, is everywhere. The dialogue and scenes are funny. They will make you laugh out loud, even when they deal with serious situations. Osman has created relatable characters who feel like people you know. They make the story come to life. The characters are the driving force of what could otherwise have been a run-of-the-mill story.

The Thursday Murder Club is, at its core, a mystery. But it’s also a novel about friendship, love, loss, and coming to terms with who we are and what we value. Osman also challenges the notion of old age. The four unlikely but immensely lovable amateur detectives or ‘harmless pensioners’ are testimony to the fact that age doesn’t and shouldn’t stop you from doing what you love.

Fiction

The Thursday Murder Club

Richard Osman

Published:

Publisher:

Pages: Paperback