JOIN USAftershocks are giving me jitters, says official
The quake-hit people are so desperate that they are willing to sell off their valuables for basic survival and return to safer habitat. This is one of the things which shocked IAS officer from Karnataka, Pankajkumar Pandey, who has been sent to Nepal to help stranded Kannadigas.
Speaking to Deccan Herald from Kathmandu on Tuesday, Pandey, who is Managing Director of Bescom, said that just like local residents and tourists there, aftershocks are giving him the jitters. “This is something which, just like others, I too will never be able to forget.” Sharing some of the scenes there, he said people were ready to give away anything to reach home safely.
“We are having a tough time organising things and ensuring that people get timely facilities like food, medical supplies and shelter. Though water is not a problem here because the borewells are still functioning, people are worried about its quality”.
Since people are still feeling the aftershocks, they are reluctant to go inside their homes. They are spending days and nights in open spaces and those who have cars have made the vehicles their shelters. Further, those who were working in Kathmandu and nearby spaces have shifted to their native places for safety reasons. Thus very few people remain in Kathmandu and other affected regions. These are mostly local residents and the stranded visitors. Everything has crumbled in Kathmandu and other affected areas, Pandey said.
The situation at the airports and main roads is very bad. There is a lot of rush at the airport.
“We are striving to arrange buses with the help of local residents in Kathmandu. Local residents are co-operative and are doing whatever they can for the tourists, officials and defence personnel. Looking at the condition of the injured and the increasing number of dead bodies being excavated from the rumbles, there is a pressing need for medical aid here. Whatever is available here is less and a lot more is required,” Pandey said.
Speaking about his family, he said that they were worried about his safety. “At the same time, they are very proud and happy. Earlier, I had come here for a holiday with my family and what I see now is totally different - a rumbled city.