Rukum West, Nov. 4 -- Two years after a devastating earthquake struck western Nepal, reconstruction of damaged houses and infrastructure remains stalled in Rukum West. Thousands of survivors are in limbo.

The earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale struck Jajarkot on November 3, 2023 and destroyed thousands of homes and public structures in Jajarkot, Rukum West and Salyan districts. But the reconstruction work has barely moved forward in Rukum West. Many survivors continued to live in temporary shelters, uncertain when permanent reconstruction will begin.

The earthquake, with its epicenter in Ramidanda of Jajarkot, killed 157 people and injured hundreds more in the three districts. Despite early promises of swift relief and rebuil...