Nepal Flood Survivors Face Second Crisis As Medicines, Water And Security Run Short

Three days without essential medicines for diabetes, high blood pressure and thyroid disease; no reliable drinking water; and helicopters as the only lifeline for critical patients — flood survivors near Trishuli Hospital are confronting a deepening humanitarian crisis after the disaster destroyed homes, roads, bridges and vital supply lines.

For Rekha Devi Gosain and hundreds of other flood survivors, surviving the devastating floods in Nepal was only the beginning of another struggle.

Chronic Patients Left Without Essential Medicines

Gosain lost her home and four shops when the flood swept through the area. Her vehicle, motorcycle and other belongings were also washed away, leaving her family dependent on relief facilities.

Her son Raghubir said the hospital did not have the medicines she regularly needs.

"My mother has to take her medicines regularly, but the hospital does not have them. It has been three days since she was able to take them," he said.

Other displaced people are facing similar problems.

At Kolani displacement camp, Kopila Pariyar is caring for her 62-year-old mother, who suffers from asthma and depends on regular medication.

"My mother has asthma and needs two or three medicines, but we have not been able to get all of them," she said.

Hospital pharmacist Maheshwar Yadav said commonly prescribed medicines for hypertension, including atenolol and losartan, were unavailable.

The hospital's insurance programme is also not functioning because internet connectivity has been disrupted, further complicating access to medicines.

Rikesh Rana, information officer at Trishuli Hospital, said many displaced people living nearby suffer from diabetes, hypertension and asthma but are unable to obtain their regular medication.

Pregnant Woman Airlifted To Kathmandu

The crisis has also left pregnant women and new mothers particularly vulnerable.

Raghubir's sister-in-law went into labour while staying at the displacement camp. Trishuli Hospital was unable to manage the delivery, while the destruction of roads and bridges had cut off access to Kathmandu.

After repeated appeals, she was airlifted on Saturday morning to Paropakar Maternity and Women's Hospital in Thapathali, Kathmandu, Raghubir said.

Doctors at Trishuli Hospital said helicopters were currently the only option for evacuating patients requiring specialised treatment.

"The bigger problem is bringing pregnant women to the hospital and taking them home," said Rajendra Lama, medical superintendent of Trishuli Hospital. "If we need to refer a patient, there is no option other than evacuation by helicopter."

Drinking Water Systems Destroyed

The shortage of medicines is being compounded by a severe water crisis.

The floods destroyed the canal that supplied water from the Trishuli hydropower project to the hospital and surrounding settlements. A separate pipeline bringing water through Tupche was also washed away.

Displaced families are now struggling to access safe drinking water.

"There is no drinking water in the camp and we cannot even buy bottled water. We have no money, no clothes and there is almost nothing to buy in the Kolani market," Pariyar said.

Doctors Fear Disease Outbreak

Three displacement camps have been established in the Baghtaar area around Trishuli Hospital. Around 1,000 people are sheltering at Bhairung Secondary School, a covered hall and Bethan Academy.

Among those displaced are pregnant women, new mothers, elderly people and patients requiring regular medical care.

With clean water and sanitation facilities in short supply, doctors fear the crowded camps could become a breeding ground for disease.

"With so many people living together in one place, there is a risk of disease spreading," Lama said. "The lack of safe drinking water and proper toilets raises the possibility of an epidemic."

Poor drainage from toilets has added to sanitation concerns, while residents have also complained that the food being supplied at the camps is inadequate and lacks sufficient nutrition.

Bridges Destroyed, Hospital Cut Off

The destruction of bridges across the area has severed Trishuli Hospital's road connection with the district headquarters, making it increasingly difficult to transport patients, medical supplies and other essentials.

The hospital itself is running short of critical supplies, including medicines, cooking gas and diesel for ambulances.

Lama said helicopters were not consistently available when urgent evacuations were required.

Security Concerns Grow

The humanitarian crisis has also been accompanied by growing security concerns.

Lama said only seven or eight police personnel were currently deployed around the hospital and nearby areas.

"Looting has started during the day itself. We need more police patrols and security," he said.

On Friday, four or five masked men reportedly arrived on motorcycles and drove away doctors who were carrying out an operation, according to Lama. Looting of houses in surrounding areas has also reportedly begun.

"There was looting in broad daylight on Friday," he said.

The disruption of normal supply chains has further fuelled black-market activity, making it increasingly difficult for residents to obtain basic necessities.

For thousands of flood survivors, the immediate emergency has therefore evolved into a wider humanitarian crisis — one in which access to medicines, clean water, healthcare, food, transport and security remains uncertain.