Nepal Earthquake: Death toll crosses 5,000, but only 4 die at epicentre

Assistant Sub Inspector Bir Bahadur Thapa Magar said the four victims have been identified as Lakshmi Gurung, 18, of Ilam Pokhari village, Nepti Tamang, 91, Sher Bahadur Tamang, 62, and three-and-a-half month old Sumit Bika, all from Gauda village. Twenty-five people have been injured.

Sindhupalchok has recorded the maximum casualties with 1,587 deaths so far, and Kathmandu is second with 1,034 deaths. While Lamjung is 20th on the list, the district, however, suffered a lot of damage.

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According to a survey by the local police, 2,094 houses were completely destroyed while another 2,129 houses were partially damaged.

The villages of Bichaur, Ilam Pokhari, Doodh Pokhari, Gauda, Kolki and Pyarjung are the worst hit.

Bhuwan Shrestha, whose house was destroyed, said they have received no help from the government so far.

Confirming this, ASI Bir Bahadur said, “We haven’t received any help from the government… we are managing with our own resources.”

Mainly a rural district, Lamjung’s district headquarters Besisahar falls on either side of just a kilometre long road. Along the main thoroughfare, there are no visible cracks on buildings.

“Houses made of mud collapsed while those made of concrete survived,” said Maya Koju, a shop-owner in Besisahar.

“We haven’t suffered much damage here,” said Nabindra, another resident of Besisahar.