The ground trembled violently, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. In Nepal, people froze mid-step, their hearts pounding as the earth beneath them shook, buildings swayed, filling the air with chaos and fear.
On Jan. 6, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck near the Nepal-Tibet border, a grim reminder of the catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck in Nepal nearly a decade ago. Though the epicenter was in Tibet, the quake was strongly felt across Nepal, where people are all too familiar with such disasters.
Krishna Bhandari, a survivor of the 2015 earthquake, reminisced about the moment the tremors began.
“It felt like 2015 all over again,” he said. “The same panic, same atmosphere.”
The devastation of 2015 still lingers in the minds of many, making the recent event even more distressing. That year, a 7.8 magnitude quake devastated the country, killing nearly 9,000 people, leaving deep emotional scars.
While the quake wasn’t as deadly this time, it brought destruction and panic, especially in villages near the border. Homes collapsed, roads cracked, families were forced to run to safety in open spaces.
“We rushed outside when we felt the ground shake,” said Padma Rai, mother of two from a village at the border. “It felt like reliving a nightmare. Now, we have no home and nowhere to go.”
Nepal sits on the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making earthquakes an inevitable part of life. Despite improvements in infrastructure and disaster response since 2015, much of the country remains vulnerable.
Relief efforts are already underway, with volunteers distributing necessities and shelter to those affected. Among them is Udayan Bhandari who has been dedicated to serving his country during times of crisis. In 2015, he turned his birthday into a fundraiser, donating all the proceeds to earthquake relief efforts. Now he is once again at the forefront, ensuring aid is being distributed efficiently and reaching those who need it most.
“Nepal is not just where I come from,” Udayan said. “It’s part of who I am. I am just grateful for the opportunity to give back to the nation that shaped me”
As aftershocks continue, the people of Nepal are reminded of life’s fragility and the importance of unity. Despite the devastation, the people of Nepal stand united, ready to rebuild not just their homes, but their spirit.
“Our goal is to restore hope,” said Haribol Bhandari, a Nepali politician and film producer. “When the earth shakes and everything is lost in an instant, it’s the strength we find in each other that matters most.”
