More than a year has passed but people still talk about the earthquakes of 2015. However, it’s not always fear that dominates theirs thoughts anymore but nostalgia of what was and worries about the future and what lies in store. The reconstruction process has all but come to a halt and the wreckages that remain are reminders of how unprepared we were and still are for natural calamities. The Week spoke to some people to find out their concerns at the moment.
I was at the Basantapur Durbar Square when the earthquake hit and saw the two historic temples being completely destroyed within seconds, right in front of my eyes. I saw my life flash before my eyes and felt lucky to have survived.
For the longest time afterward I couldn’t bring myself to return to the Durbar Square. I feel like it would be easier for me to try to forget and move on if the temples were reconstructed. Every time I see the bare platform with no temple I’m instantly transported to the fearsome panic of that horrendous day.
Dr. Anushree Adhikary, 24
Medical Officer, Grande Hospital
I wasn’t in the country when the earthquake hit so when I came back we went on a drive around the valley to take in all the damage. When we reached the Gongabu area I was devastated. All those houses that had completely toppled over instilled fear in me that I hadn’t felt initially even with the continuous aftershocks.
Till this day I haven’t been able to return to Gongabu and I close my eyes every time I have to pass that area. Time is what will heal this fear of seeing high rise buildings in such close spaces but the government putting its foot down and having strict and uncompromising building rules and making the gallis wider might help too.
Ila Upadhyay, 48
Air Traffic Controller
Being a mother
Whenever I walk around the Sundhara premises, the remnant of the fallen tower of Dharhara is something I cannot overlook. It was undoubtedly one of the most happening areas of Kathmandu that suffered a lot of damage due to the earthquake.
I have been there multiple times but I regret not summoning up the courage to climb the tower while it still stood tall. All I can wish for now is that the reconstruction is started soon as it’s already been over a year. We need reconstruction works not only for Dharhara but for all the earthquake-hit places of Nepal.
Binita Giri, 27
Housewife
Seeing Bhaktapur Durbar Square site in partial ruins is rather painful and rude reminder of the earthquake. The Durbar Square is a place where my friends and I go to for some peace amidst all the chaos which is why we love to spend most of our spare time there. However, it is not the same after the April 25 catastrophe last year.
I think that the government and the citizens should together formulate a way to conserve our heritage sites and not leave it in ruins. We, as responsible civilians, must take a step forward too instead of just sitting back and blaming the government. There must be something the public can do together before the government gets its act in place.
Ruku Khatiwada, 24
Student
I’m one of those people whose house was completely wrecked by the earthquake. The sight of the ruined walls, collapsing bricks, and destroyed living spaces constantly reminds me of the chaos that occurred over a year ago and brings back all those bad memories.
Fortunately, I was able to arrange another home for myself and didn’t have to go through too much hassle. But for those who are still living in temporary shelters, facing the extreme weather conditions, the situation is horrible even now. And the sad thing is that the reconstruction is taking place at a very slow pace. I hope that the victims get their compensation soon so that they can at least have a roof above their heads.
Dr Rockson Karmacharya, 25
Kathmandu Model Veterinary Hospital
I was driving back home after visiting the Basantapur Durbar Square when the quake hit the valley. The buildings that had been standing tall when I was there just minutes before either didn’t exist anymore or sported big cracks and looked precarious and fragile.
I saw a few structures collapse too. When I reached home, I couldn’t even bring myself to trust my very own house. I didn’t sleep at home until even the minutest of cracks had been repaired and I think twice before entering any tall building, constantly looking out for quake damages. Active repair and construction of buildings assured to withstand big earthquakes along with the passing of time will help put my mind at ease.
Sharad Adhikary, 59
Retired, Former Director, Department of Transport
I live near Indrayani Mandir in Chettrapati and when the earthquake hit, my locality was not really damaged. After it had settled down, I went to check if the ancient temple had sustained any damages. Instead of the usual quiet temple complex I found people crying and wailing all the while clinging on to the still bodies of their loved ones.
There were so many people being cremated that there was a long queue of people waiting to burn the bodies of their loved ones, while more dead bodies were brought in. The Indrayani temple stood with her top tier broken, about to fall off. Every time I walk past the temple now, it looks as if the Indrayani goddess is bowing her head with great sorrow and I’m immediately transported to that scene of horror. I wish to see temple heal and whole again and move on from the scene that seems to have been etched in my mind.
Jagadish Tamrakar, 23
Architecture student
