On the Saturday morning 25th of April 2015, having finished my breakfast and reading the morning paper, I thought of going Bhotahity to purchase some books. I headed towards my destination on scooter, bought the books and was planning for extra shopping before returning to home.
A cause is what makes something happen and is a reason for its happening. At 11:56 am, when I was rushing towards Newroad for shopping after parking my scooter, the earth started quaking and the walls of the building started shaking. In the beginning, I had no idea what was happening around because I had never experienced such peculiar movement and sound before. It was an earthquake. I got to know when every single person around were running towards an open space and shouting "Oh, my Gosh, it’s an EARTHQUAKE!" I had no idea what to do and where to go. The tremor of the earth had ceased; yet I stood in the open for a while. The very first thing that came in my mind was about my family. I tried my best to get connected with my family but the network was unfavorable to make calls and leave messages.
The only wish I was left with, at that time was to reach home anyhow. It seemed like a long time before the movement stopped, but the time was around a minute, I believe. I rushed towards the parking to get on my vehicle and ride back home. The media had already spread over and were taking photographs of the damage caused by the earthquake and recording the reactions of the people. However, the earthquake was a truth and I felt it so strongly.
I was trying to ride back home as soon as possible. I chose the way of Kathmandu Durbar Square till I could realize that everything has been devastated to nothing. I could not find any obstacle free way that could lead to home safely. Then, I took a shortcut path I knew but that way was also blocked with the residuals of several houses. I was so helpless and hopeless. It was a chaos around; everyone around were lost in fear and several people failed to contact their families and relatives. Moreover, many people were injured and some were already buried under collapsed houses. I left the scooter at one side and lied down in a corner. I was holding my breath as the shocks were repeatedly occurring. I was staring at the buildings opposite to me and watching it dance which made me frozen as ice. I was crying heart out in grief because I was worried about my family and was unable to connect to them so as to confirm that all are well. I, again, checked the mobile for any sign of network. Surprisingly, I got to know that the data network was working. I tried to call my beloved but could not get connected. I left message informing about the current status and the uncertainty of my life. Meanwhile, a motherly lady of my life sent me continuous messages full of love and motivation. It was the peak time of my life when I was seriously in need of mental support and encouragement. It was her who empowered me, propelled me to accept and fight the circumstances.
In the mean while, a middle aged man came near me and requested to stop crying. He talked in an encouraging way and offered me help to let me getting out of that fearful circumstance. I beseeched him to show me a way that could lead to an open area. He lifted my scooter over the residuals of the destroyed assets with great effort. That way led to the Dallu Bridge which had an open space around. I was relieved to some extent and was so thankful to that person. He did not flatter me saying that the shakes will not repeat, but he warned me to stay conscious and safe. Every single thing he did for me is inconvertible.
Now, I moved with glimmer of hope to reach home and to see my family safe. The way that led home was not that easy due to the frequent tremors. The collapsed houses, the blocked ways and the injured people tore my heart, but the power of love and togetherness for my family fostered me. The frequent aftershocks became a hurdle to me, so leaving the scooter halfway, I ran home. Finally, I reached home full of sweat and tears. The moment I saw my mother lying down in the ground took my heart away. She eased out when she found her child alive and safe. I cried a lot in her lap and, yes, I realized the ultimate power of warmth of mother's lap. I do realize that I am lucky for my safe arrival back to my home in such a devastating earthquake.
Talking about experience
Two month has passed but I feel like its yesterday. Even if I'm asked after year’s time, I think it will be like yesterday as I saw the death by so near. All of the emotions I felt that day, and even the days and weeks and months afterwards, were just as bad as the first time I felt them. We’ve experienced thousands of aftershocks. I don't know an exact number of family and friends that died in the earthquake but the worst part of it was that many of them died trapped underneath, with nothing visible but left with the sound of their cry for help. I experienced for the first time, the trauma of living through one of the nature's most notorious catastrophes which taught me that life is unpredictable and life should be cherished intensely.
On the Saturday morning 25th of April 2015, having finished my breakfast and reading the morning paper, I thought of going Bhotahity to purchase some books. I headed towards my destination on scooter, bought the books and was planning for extra shopping before returning to home.
A cause is what makes something happen and is a reason for its happening. At 11:56 am, when I was rushing towards Newroad for shopping after parking my scooter, the earth started quaking and the walls of the building started shaking. In the beginning, I had no idea what was happening around because I had never experienced such peculiar movement and sound before. It was an earthquake. I got to know when every single person around were running towards an open space and shouting "Oh, my Gosh, it’s an EARTHQUAKE!" I had no idea what to do and where to go. The tremor of the earth had ceased; yet I stood in the open for a while. The very first thing that came in my mind was about my family. I tried my best to get connected with my family but the network was unfavorable to make calls and leave messages.
The only wish I was left with, at that time was to reach home anyhow. It seemed like a long time before the movement stopped, but the time was around a minute, I believe. I rushed towards the parking to get on my vehicle and ride back home. The media had already spread over and were taking photographs of the damage caused by the earthquake and recording the reactions of the people. However, the earthquake was a truth and I felt it so strongly.
I was trying to ride back home as soon as possible. I chose the way of Kathmandu Durbar Square till I could realize that everything has been devastated to nothing. I could not find any obstacle free way that could lead to home safely. Then, I took a shortcut path I knew but that way was also blocked with the residuals of several houses. I was so helpless and hopeless. It was a chaos around; everyone around were lost in fear and several people failed to contact their families and relatives. Moreover, many people were injured and some were already buried under collapsed houses. I left the scooter at one side and lied down in a corner. I was holding my breath as the shocks were repeatedly occurring. I was staring at the buildings opposite to me and watching it dance which made me frozen as ice. I was crying heart out in grief because I was worried about my family and was unable to connect to them so as to confirm that all are well. I, again, checked the mobile for any sign of network. Surprisingly, I got to know that the data network was working. I tried to call my beloved but could not get connected. I left message informing about the current status and the uncertainty of my life. Meanwhile, a motherly lady of my life sent me continuous messages full of love and motivation. It was the peak time of my life when I was seriously in need of mental support and encouragement. It was her who empowered me, propelled me to accept and fight the circumstances.
In the mean while, a middle aged man came near me and requested to stop crying. He talked in an encouraging way and offered me help to let me getting out of that fearful circumstance. I beseeched him to show me a way that could lead to an open area. He lifted my scooter over the residuals of the destroyed assets with great effort. That way led to the Dallu Bridge which had an open space around. I was relieved to some extent and was so thankful to that person. He did not flatter me saying that the shakes will not repeat, but he warned me to stay conscious and safe. Every single thing he did for me is inconvertible.
Now, I moved with glimmer of hope to reach home and to see my family safe. The way that led home was not that easy due to the frequent tremors. The collapsed houses, the blocked ways and the injured people tore my heart, but the power of love and togetherness for my family fostered me. The frequent aftershocks became a hurdle to me, so leaving the scooter halfway, I ran home. Finally, I reached home full of sweat and tears. The moment I saw my mother lying down in the ground took my heart away. She eased out when she found her child alive and safe. I cried a lot in her lap and, yes, I realized the ultimate power of warmth of mother's lap. I do realize that I am lucky for my safe arrival back to my home in such a devastating earthquake.
Two month has passed but I feel like its yesterday. Even if I'm asked after year’s time, I think it will be like yesterday as I saw the death by so near. All of the emotions I felt that day, and even the days and weeks and months afterwards, were just as bad as the first time I felt them. We’ve experienced thousands of aftershocks. I don't know an exact number of family and friends that died in the earthquake but the worst part of it was that many of them died trapped underneath, with nothing visible but left with the sound of their cry for help. I experienced for the first time, the trauma of living through one of the nature's most notorious catastrophes which taught me that life is unpredictable and life should be cherished intensely.
