Nepal villagers struggle for survival in wake of powerful earthquake that shook its northwest, killing 157

Villagers in the mountains of northwest Nepal mourn over loved ones who perished in an earthquake that shook the area Friday night.

The strong tremblor killed 157 people, injured 184, and left thousands homeless, local authorities confirmed.

Victims were from Chiuri village in Jajarkot district, the epicenter of the quake, and its neighboring Rukum district, officials said.

Most of the houses in Jajarkot — usually made by stacking rocks and logs — either collapsed or were severely damaged by the sudden earthquake. The majority of those killed were crushed by debris.

Thousands spent Saturday night in the bitter cold, and people used whatever they could find to set up shelter for the night, using plastic sheets and old clothes to keep them warm. Most people have been unable to retrieve their belongings from under the rubble.

“We do not even have anything left to eat. Whatever food we had is buried underneath the rubble of our fallen house,” a survivor said.

Nepal’s government said it is trying to get aid to the affected areas.

As rescuers were scrambling to rush aid, operations were hampered by the fact that many of the mountainous villages could only be reached by foot. Roads were also blocked by landslides triggered by the earthquake.