The arrival of Dashain festival has saddened quake-affected people living in temporary shelters in Bidur municipality in the district.

A total of 304 families, who were displaced from Lachyang, Salme, Kimtang, Deurali in Nuwakot and Haku in Rasuwa, are taking shelter in the area. They said they have no work and no farmland to bank on.

Dorje Tamang, who came to the camp after losing his house in Salme-5 , said he has no money to celebrate the festival as he has been without regular work. “We are not excited about Dashain this year,” he said.

Chir Kumar Tamang, another quake victim in the camp, has a similar tale to tell. Chir Kumar, a daily wage worker in the bazaar area, said their situation has worsened due to the “unofficial” Indian blockade against Nepal.

No one has sown seeds of Jamara (sacred plant) in their huts and there are no preparations for the festival. With no help forthcoming, Karsang Dolma, 46, of Haku said her family cannot celebrate Dashain due to the acute shortage.

Last year, some of the quake victims had celebrated the festival by selling large cardamom. But they are unable to harvest it this time around.

Having spent all of their savings to build the temporary shelter, they can ill afford to buy delicious foods during Dashain. Sukabir Lama of Lachyang says they cannot even afford to have a square meal a day.

The families, who have lost their relatives in the devastating April 25 quake, are still traumatised.

The family of Dyabol Tamang is still in grief as his wife Maru Tamang was killed in the quake. Narayan Sapkota of Samari-4 says they are yet to fully overcome the shock to celebrate the festival.