Kathmandu, March 25 -- In Kathmandu Valley, the first day of the weeklong nation-wide lockdown was bright and sunny, with birds chirping in the balmy spring weather. The streets, however, were eerily empty, with no traffic and no pedestrians. The only vehicles were the occasional ambulance, water tankers and security vehicles.

From department stores, restaurants and shopping complexes to grocery stores and tea shops, all remained closed as the government-mandated nationwide lockdown, announced on Monday, came into effect.

Although the government had asked everyone to remain indoors, both the curious and the panicked were out on the streets in the early morning in various parts of the city, accompanied occasionally by the nonchalant. Man...