Widespread debris and wreckage dominates Nepal’s landscape, as rescue and relief efforts continue to pour in from across the globe. Despite the humane and valiant efforts of various teams and units, the situation in the earthquake-torn nation continues to worsen. Problems and challenges compound as weather and other factors plant new obstacles in Nepal’s road to recovery.
Incessant rain in the region has dampened the spirits of rescue teams and relief operations. Low clouds combined with mostly overcast conditions have slowed down air rescue operations. The weather does clear up, but only for a while. In addition to this, fresh tremors continue to jolt the fear-ridden populace of the 41st most populated country in the world.
Another pressing issue emerges in the form of unrelenting ground and air space congestion at Kathmandu Airport. Airplanes laden with relief materials and rescue teams, along with other flying machines, are swarming up at the Tribhuvan airport which struggles to accommodate this unusually high air traffic. Furthermore, ground congestion is another brewing issue as the airport apron is overwhelmed with a large number of aircrafts and copters. Any minute error in command and control of air operations can lead to a mishap.
As per reports, 25 people have been killed by the Nepal earthquake in Tibet, and 383 are reported injured. Authorities in Nepal struggle to reach outlying remote areas in the country. These are mainly mountainous regions dotted with settlements. Thousands have already died and thousands more are feared dead. As we move into Day 6 of relief and rescue efforts, many bodies buried under the rubble continue to decay. Moreover, unabated rainfall may speed up the decomposition of dead bodies thereby giving birth to chances of an epidemic.
For the survivors of this massive earthquake, the situation continues to remain grim. Rescue missions are getting delayed as authorities struggle to locate a flat ground for sorties. Additionally, inequitable distribution of relief material has raised concerns about the survival of survivors. United Nations has launched a $415 million emergency appeal to extend urgent aid to those affected by the catastrophe.
But hope continues to oblige. A teenage boy was rescued from the earthquake rubble in Kathmandu today. The boy, Pemba Lama aged 15, survived in the rubble for five days before he was rescued. He lived off two bottles of clarified butter (ghee) and rainwater for five days. But will lady luck be this merciful to thousands of others buried in the rubble? Questions lead to more questions as the battle for survival and rehabilitation in Nepal rages on.
(Featured Image Credits: theguardian.com)
