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Terror-stricken people reluctant to return to homes in Nepal

April 27, 2015 18:55 IST

A coat and a framed portrait are seen hanging on a cracked wall of a damaged house after an earthquake in Bhaktapur, Nepal. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Two days after the devastating earthquake in Nepal, terror-stricken people in Kathmandu are still staying outdoors with powerful aftershocks adding to their fears.

People across Kathmandu have occupied open spaces and are living in a plethora of makeshift tents dotting the landscape as far as the eye can see.

"Our house has developed cracks and we are scared to go back. Yesterday's earthquake has scared us," said Dekhbahadur, a mason who has been staying outside with his five-member family in a makeshift tent.

"We have been asked to stay outdoors by the government because of the aftershocks. We will take a call to return to our home by tomorrow," said 35-year-old Chandra Kumar who works at Kathmandu Municipal Corporation.

People staying outside are battling with mosquitoes, rain and acute water shortage.

A member of Nepalese police personnel looks on as an excavator is used to dig through rubble to search for bodies, in the aftermath of Saturday's earthquake in Kathmandu. Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters

"The Kathmandu police and the army have been providing us water, but the quantity is very less," said Diamond Deula, who has been staying in a makeshift tent with his family that includes his one-month-old son in the premises of Royal Nepal Golf Course.

People across Kathmandu have erected makeshift tents in the open spaces and are reluctant to go back to their homes as the fear intensified after the yesterday's aftershock.

A 7.9-magnitude earthquake jolted the Himalayan nation on Saturday followed by several aftershocks that left a trail of death and destruction. The powerful trembler flattened houses and buildings, including the iconic Dharhara tower and the landmark Darbar Square in the heart of the capital.

Death toll in the quake has climbed to 3,726.

Prashant Rangnekar in Kathmandu
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