Earthquake tragedy in Nepal

Not straight-forward getting accurate details on Namche from the web, just tried again. Can certainly find images from that region, but its not always clear from which village they are from. As said, will try getting info from people in Nepal. I have already heard a comment from another friend that foreign media portrayal hasn't always been accurate on what is actually going on (which isn't a surprise really). The other issue is that there are many accounts and pictures from foreigners from the first earthquake, which didn't do extensive damage in the Everest area. Now tourism has slowed down drastically in Nepal, and communications are currently poor in the Namche area from what I have read.

A lot of attention has been given to Sindupalchok District - which lies west of Solu-Khumbu District (where Namche/Everest trail is situated) - it seems the death toll and damage there has been among the highest.

The latest BBC documentary on how some villages to the East of Kathmandu are still struggling after the two earthquakes. Sad to the reality of what these quakes have done in villages that I know and have visited...
www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32845518

Another 4.3 quake on May 30, I think it was in Kathmandu but not totally sure.

Now the next problem, landslides from all the rain. In Taplejung District the landslides have claimed about 30 lives.
www.nepalitimes.com/blogs/thebrief/2015/06/11/twelve-killed-in-taplejung-landslides/
www.facebook.com/nepalitimes/photos/pcb.10153105281178411/10153105280688411/?type=1&theater

Another quake hit Nepal 2 hours ago, magnitude 4.8-5.3 (depending on the source), epicenter 30km NE of Kathmandu.

A dedicated website on Langtang has been created, voicing the hope of the locals to rebuild their villages. Definitely worth checking out:
langtangdisaster.org/en/

Already posted previously, there is also a dedicated website for Barpak village:
www.helpbarpak.org/

The creation of these websites reflects the hope and strength of the Nepalese to rebuild their lives.

Regarding previous discussions on the damage at Namche Bazaar and surrounds: apparently 95% of the houses are "cracked" in Solu-Khumbu District (which the Everest region falls under), which makes them unsafe to sleep in. This means that 95% of households in that district are currently sleeping outside under tarpaulins or tents! I still don't have specific info on Namche Bazaar, but my Sherpa friend has mentioned that most of the houses in nearby Khunde and Thame villages have collapsed! In spite of this the Everest trail is still open to tourists. Some of the lodges can still be used, and they also provide tents.

The land in that district is also badly cracked and damaged, as in other parts of Nepal. This is becoming particularly dangerous now in the rainy season. Because of this many locals have left their villages.


My Sherpa friend continues to do relief operations in Solu-Khumbu district which is his home district. Only very recently has he been reunited with his wife and kids, whom he sent away for some time to a safer place. Their home in Kathmandu is also cracked and he is sleeping on the ground floor (most houses in Kathmandu are at least double story) - until recently they were sleeping in tents outside. He lost his 8-year old niece when his brother's house collapses in the villages. Two of this sisters have also lost their homes, and his parents cannot sleep inside their house. I am currently supporting him financially in the distribution of food and tarpaulins to Solu-Khumbu. If anyone would like to contribute, feel free to contact me via PM.

Three earthquakes today already in Nepal! Magnitudes 3.8, 4.3 and 4.4.

According to the Central Children Welfare Board of Nepal, the earthquakes of 25 April and 12 May killed 2023 children, and in addition 82 have been left as orphans, 266 lost their mothers and 427 lost their fathers.