November 16: The Jajarkot earthquake on November 3 caused huge damage to human lives and physical infrastructures. Hundreds of people were rendered homeless. For the citizens of the affected areas, this festival of Tihar was a mess. Their dream of celebrating Tihar could not be fulfilled this time.

Twenty-six-year-old Bhumika Shahi Malla and her 4-year-old son Lekhnath, who had come from Darma Rural Municipality of Salyan to their native home in Aathbiskot-13 in Rukum West to celebrate Tihar, died in the earthquake. Not only did the mother and her son die, her mother, sister's 9-month-old son and aunt also died. All five of them died at their maternal home in Jamirekot Ward No. 14. They had reached there to meet the sick aunt.

On the other hand, Laxman Shahi of Aathbiskot Municipality-13, lost his mother, sister and two nephews. He is yet to overcome the pain of losing mothers, sisters, and nephews and Tihar only made him miss them more.

People across the country just celebrated Tihar, singing the Deusibhailo songs with merriment. However, like Shahi, hundreds of earthquake victims were unaffected by the fervor of Tihar. Shahi said that he did not even realize that Tihar had come this year due to the loss of his loved ones in the earthquake. He said, "In the previous year, the sisters used to come from their homes carrying a flower garlands for tika ritual. We used to sit together happily during the festival, but this year, the earthquake killed all our dreams and happiness."

Hari Bahadur Oli of Bhalma that they were concerned about how to avoid the cold than to celebrate Tihar. Oli said that he is also appealing to the local government and other relevant agencies to protect them from the diseases caused by cold and arrange safe living arrangements.

Kalikadevi Malla of SaniBheri-4 said that spending the cold night in the garden under a tent is a big problem. Malla requested the concerned agencies to make immediate arrangements for temporary accommodation.

Chief District Officer Hari Prasad Panta informed that the first phase of relief distribution to the earthquake victims has been completed, and now the focus is on construction of temporary settlements for which the government is working accordingly.

Chief District Officer Panta informed that temporary reconstruction work will be started in the earthquake-affected areas immediately after Tihar.