Valley shops remain closed
KATHMANDU, MAY 14 - Most of the retail and wholesale shops remained closed in the Kathmandu valley on Wednesday after Tuesday’s earthquake.
Although the situation was heading towards normalcy after the first quake on April 25, the fresh earthquake and aftershocks terrorised all, forcing the vendors to shut shops.
On Tuesday, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake (as measured by US Geological Survey) jolted the country.
From Kamal Pokharai, Gyaneshwor, Gausala, Sinamangal to Koteshwor, many shops were found closed, a while few were opened. Those who opened their stores said they would soon pull down the shutters. The traders said they were compelled to close the shops fearing a possible quake.
According to the Retailers Association of Nepal, 60 percent of the shops in Kathmandu were closed on Tuesday.
“Retailers were gradually opening their shops after the April 25 earthquake, but the fresh quake compelled many to close their shops,” said Pabitra Man Bajracharya, president of the association.
Bajracharya added the traders were more frightened as some shops were buried on Tuesday. He said Roomba Department Store at Swayambhunath completely collapsed. “Many traders have lost their families and friends, while some shops sustained some degree of damages. My friend’s grocery store at Gaushala was also damaged,” he added.
Ishwor Shrestha, one of the wholesalers who lost his home and store at Balaju said: “I am in a very troubled condition and many other traders fear to open their shops in this area.”
As grocery stores remain closed, the general people in the valley are affected badly. “I went to nearby shops to buy lentils but most of them were closed and one that was open had ran out of stocks,” said Sushma Mainali, a housewife at Battisputali.
According to shopkeepers, they have run out of many essential goods such lentil and beaten rice and even noodles, Dalmoth and Bhujiya as people purchased the items at big scales for household purpose and for distributing to those affected.
Source: eKantipur
