Nepal villagers cremate loved ones who perished in an earthquake that killed 157 people
Nov 4, 2023
Villagers in the mountains of northwest Nepal have cremated the bodies of some who perished in an earthquake that shook the area Friday night
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Villagers in the mountains of northwest Nepal on Sunday cremated the bodies of some of those who perished in an earthquake two days earlier. The strong temblor killed 157 people and left thousands of others homeless.
The 13 bodies were carried to the banks of the Bheri River and placed on pyres made of stacked wood. Priests chanted Hindu prayers while family members cried as they covered the bodies of loved ones with flowers before setting them on fire in a cremation ceremony.
They were from Chiuri village in Jajarkot district, which authorities said was the epicenter of the quake, and where at least 105 people were confirmed dead. Another 52 were killed in the neighboring Rukum district, officials said. There were 184 people injured.
Most of the houses in Jajarkot — usually made by stacking rocks and logs — either collapsed or were severely damaged by the sudden earthquake, while the few concrete houses in towns were also damaged. The majority of those killed were crushed by debris.
Thousands spent Saturday night in the bitter cold.
People used whatever they could find to set up shelter for the night, using plastic sheets and old clothes to keep them warm. Most people have been unable to retrieve their belongings from under the rubble.
Many were looking to the government for help.
“Our situation has gotten so worse that we do not even have anything left to eat. Whatever food we had is buried underneath the rubble of our fallen house,” Samkhana Bika, who had lost her home, said Sunday.
Her house at Chepare village had fallen. She sat around a fire near their fallen home to keep warm with her six family members.
“Someone else gave us some rice, a little oil and some salt out of which we made a stew last night and ate that,” she said.
Nepal's government said it is trying to get aid to the affected areas.
A Cabinet meeting held on Sunday announced that aid would be immediately transported. Communications Minister Rekha Sharma told reporters that supplying food and setting up temporary shelters were the main focus while working on plans to reconstruct damaged houses.
As rescuers were scrambling to rush aid, operations were hampered by the fact that many of the mountainous villages could only be reached by foot. Roads were also blocked by landslides triggered by the earthquake. Soldiers could be seen trying to clear the blocked roads.
The U.S. Geological Survey said that the earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 5.6 and occurred at a depth of 11 miles (18 kilometers). Nepal’s National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center confirmed that the epicenter was in Jajarkot, which is about 400 kilometers (250 miles) northeast of the capital, Kathmandu.
At the regional hospital in the city of Nepalgunj, more than 100 beds were made available and teams of doctors stood by to help the injured.
“My arms are totally broken, I have injuries in my head and my back hurts, but thankfully it is not fractured. It was hurt when I had bent down and had firewood fall on my back," Kunjan Pun said Sunday from a hospital bed where she is awaiting surgery.
Apart from rescue helicopters, small government and army planes able to set down in short mountain landing strips were also used to ferry the wounded to Nepalgunj.
The quake, which hit when many people were asleep in their homes, was also felt in India’s capital, New Delhi, more than 800 kilometers (500 miles) away.
Earthquakes are common in mountainous Nepal. A 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2015 killed around 9,000 people and damaged about 1 million structures.
___
Upendra Man Singh contributed to this report.
MORE NEWS
Why Is Real Madrid Appologising To China? The Multi-Million Dollar Answer
Real Madrid apologised to China after Kylian Mbappe’s Mao comments sparked backlash, sponsor exits and a La Liga broadcast suspension. But what is at stake?
Out on parole, Asaram fails to return to Jodhpur jail on time; action initiated
The Ratanada police registered a case against the convicted godman under the Prisons Act on Tuesday night for failing to surrender within the stipulated time, even as the jail authorities refused to admit him due to the late hour.
Haryana ERC puts Eleven Power’s parallel power distribution licence on hold
The commission’s decision follows a state government directive issued under the Electricity Act, 2003, raising concerns over financial and consumer implications
Adani said to weigh deal for €3 billion energy storage firm VTTI
Billionaire Gautam Adani is reportedly exploring a potential acquisition of Dutch energy storage group VTTI. Supply disruptions have made VTTI's facilities increasingly valuable for energy trading, attracting multiple suitors. A deal could value VTTI at around €3 billion, with IFM Investors and Vitol owning significant stakes. Adani Group has been evaluating international acquisitions to accelerate its growth in various sectors.
School Holiday October 29: Which states have announced closures due to Cyclone Arnab? Will schools in Delhi, Punjab and other North Indian states remain closed for Karwa Chauth? Check state-wise updates
School Holiday October 29 news: Schools in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Jharkhand will close on October 29 due to Cyclone Arnab. Karwa Chauth is also observed on this day, affecting school holidays. While Delhi government schools declared a holiday, private schools may vary in their schedules. Parents are advised to check with individual schools for updated holiday information. District administrations will provide details regarding school closures based on local weather conditions.
Real Madrid issues apology to China over Mbappe’s Mao remarks
Real Madrid has issued an apology to China over Kylian Mbappe’s controversial remarks about the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong, after the Spanish football club’s initial response failed to quell anger in China. In a statement published on its website on Wednesday, the club apologised to the Chinese people for “any discomfort” caused by the French footballer’s remarks, a day after Mbappe issued his own public apology. The apology came after Chinese state broadcaster CCTV Sports rejected Real...
Vedanta explores Rs 80,000 crore investment in West Bengal, says Anil Agarwal
In a bold move, Vedanta Group's Anil Agarwal announced an investment strategy of Rs 70,000-80,000 crore in West Bengal, set to foster job creation for around 10,000 individuals. He conveyed confidence in the state's manufacturing potential and the necessity of leveraging local resources. This announcement came during a key meeting at Nabanna, highlighting Agarwal's commitment to positioning India as a manufacturing powerhouse on the global stage.
British PM Burnham commits to 'strongest possible' links with India in Diwali address
During his first Diwali as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham expressed his commitment to strengthen UK-India relations. The celebration at 10 Downing Street included lighting lamps and cultural performances. Burnham emphasized the importance of harmony among various communities in the UK. Key speakers highlighted the ongoing free trade agreement between the two countries and its benefits. The festive events reflect the growing partnership between the UK and India.
Assam Chief Minister chairs two crucial meetings in Dibrugarh to safeguard indigenous land rights
Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma convened a series of meetings in Dibrugarh, concentrating on securing land rights for indigenous peoples. The gatherings highlighted challenges related to land distribution for tribal families, particularly within the Moran and Matak communities. To aid in resolving these issues, youth will receive training for online applications, reinforcing initiatives aimed at preserving and respecting the land ownership of tribes in Upper Assam.
YouTube Outage: Thousands of users reportedly facing problems, reports claim issues with Google Search and Gmail too
Google services, including YouTube and YouTube Music, have reported significant issues on October 28, 2026. Thousands of users faced problems accessing these platforms, with complaints rising sharply throughout the day. Users encountered issues streaming videos and loading content, prompting discussion on social media. Despite reports of widespread problems, Google's official status dashboard shows services operational. The cause of these issues remains unclear and has not been confirmed by Google.
MoS Somanna sees 2028 message in NDA’s council poll sweep
Union Minister of State V Somanna highlighted the Congress party's failure in recent Legislative Council elections across multiple states. He pointed out that Congress did not secure any seats in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Bihar, or Uttar Pradesh. Somanna used these results to challenge Congress's claims regarding electronic voting machines and alleged electoral fraud. The outcomes are perceived as a negative reflection on the Congress government in Karnataka.