Landslide survivors and rescuers fall ill in Rolpa

Survivors and rescuers of a deadly landslide in Nepal's Rolpa district are experiencing deteriorating health after days of exposure to rain, poor living conditions, and inadequate rest.

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I was in Kotalbara on that terrifying evening of August 12. I saw and experienced the landslide from close range. I managed to escape with my life, but I could not save many others.

Health workers in Thabang Rural Municipality-5 report that displaced families living in temporary shelters are developing various health problems. Those involved in the demanding search for bodies and survivors have also fallen ill after working continuously in wet conditions following the landslide that claimed 13 lives in Kotalbara.

Duk Pun Magar, 54, who spent days assisting in the rescue efforts, is now being treated for typhoid. He described the terrifying experience of the landslide on August 12, noting the little time people had to react to the heavy rain and the landslide's roar. Magar recounted working in soaked clothes and often skipping meals, resorting to "junk food" to sustain himself, which weakened his body and led to his illness.

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On one side there was heavy rain, and on the other came the landslide with a huge, terrifying roar. We barely had time to save ourselves.

Health worker Nim Subedi confirmed that many involved in the rescue operation have become sick. Bimarsa Gharti Magar, another health worker, stated that displaced individuals are also seeking treatment for health issues arising from living outside their homes. Health officials urge vigilance and attention to health concerns among residents, especially those in Upper Uwa and nearby villages forced to stay in temporary accommodations.

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We even had to eat junk food to keep our hunger at bay. Because we could not eat on time, our bodies became weaker, and I eventually fell ill.

The health crisis compounds the ongoing trauma for communities near Kotalbara, where residents live in fear of further landslides, becoming anxious at the onset of rain. Some families near Kotalbara are leaving their homes after dark to seek shelter at the local health post.

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We have urged everyone to remain alert given the situation after the landslide. We have also advised residents of Upper Uwa and nearby villages who have been forced to stay outside their homes to take their health seriously.