Kathmandu, Sept. 2 -- Guna Maya Bohara sometimes sings at night. It is the same bhajan-Hare Ram, Hare Krishna-that she used to sing during her stay at the elderly care home and during temple visits. Sometimes after singing, she asks a question: "Why did the water hit me?" The 97-year-old has asked the question more than once.

Apart from that, however, Bohara has mostly stopped speaking. Bohara is currently receiving treatment at Bir Hospital in Kathmandu. Her arms and legs have turned black and blue. She sometimes moves suddenly, almost involuntarily. She lies still for a while. Then another movement breaks the stillness. Doctors have diagnosed her with acute stress disorder.

On the morning of August 26, Bohara was in her room on the gr...