We all vividly remember the pictures of Dharahara's ruins after the 1934 quake. Almost none of us were born to have witnessed that devastating quake; even if some might have been alive at that time,

it's almost impossible for them to recall the moment from direct memory. Once again, Dharahara is down; Saturday's quake was not as big as the quake of 1934, but it is the biggest earthquake in generations. Although the scale of devastation is measured by the number of casualties and the loss of property, the sheer demolition of Dharahara is enough for us Nepali people to imagine the quake's devastating effect.

Historically, Kirtipur is one of the safest places in Kathmandu valley in terms of the effect of earthquake. We remember how our grandfathers and great grandfathers used to tell the stories of them going to the Kirtipur hill and looking towards Kathmandu Valley full of dust because of the ruins of the houses demolished by the 1934 quake while the houses on top of the hill were perfectly safe. It is told that Kirtipur hill is a single gigantic stone and thus, the effect of the earthquake is much lesser here as compared to that in the other regions of the Valley. Last Saturday was no exception; there was little to none effect of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that shook the entire nation. However, same was not the case with the other parts of the Kirtipur Municipality.

Here is the brief data of the destruction in different parts of the municipality caused by the Saturday's quake:

Although there have been virtually no support from the government, people affected by the quake have been managing the temporary camps from the community level. The major camps have been set up in Janasewa Higher Secondary School, A-One Party Palace, Panga Party Venue, Bagh Bhairab Party Venue, Kirtipur Bus-park and some areas of Tribhuwan University as well. In these areas, people have set up large tents to accommodate numbers of affected people.

There have been little to no supply of essential materials and logistics from government and other agencies. However, from the community effort, money and medicines have been collected as relief fund. Yet, acute shortage of drinking water and medicine has been a bit of a problem. Tents and food for the affected people residing in the aforementioned camps are still in shortage. As big a problem is the management of waste. Due to the improper waste management, risk of outbreak of water borne as well as other communicable diseases is at high. Although there have been efforts from the local community level as well as from the local Red Cross bodies, government's support is a must in this one of the virtually neglected parts of the Valley.

Here is map of disaster affected areas and camp site. http://maps.ourkirtipur.com.np/

(We will be in Ourkirtipur with the updates on the effects of the earthquake in Kirtipur region and the efforts from the community level)

Text : Akash Maharjan, Pictures : Shashish Maharjan