Update – The Langtang Region of Nepal after the Earthquake

by | May 3, 2015 | newsroom

Finally we have received some information about the effects of the earthquake in our beloved Langtang Valley of Nepal, as well as the rest of Rasuwa as of the 28th of April, 2015.  It is so very sad to hear the village, and nearly all who were living there, our dear friends and family, are gone.  But, not knowing anything is even harder. The village of Langtang was the site of the largest single catastrophe, as the entirety of village was completely buried by an avalanche that came from thousands of feet above on the southern slopes of Langtang Lirung and  Langtang II.  Smaller settlements on the outskirts of Langtang, such as Chyamki, Thangsyap, and Mundu were also buried.   It is impossible to determine exactly how many people died there, but the estimate is perhaps over 300 people in total. The handful of survivors, roughly twelve locals and two foreigners, walked down to Ghodatabela below after spending the night of the 25th in a cave – thus there is no one at Langtang itself. This avalanche is perhaps 2-3 kilometers wide, and is obstructing movement within the upper valley corridor.   Currently two large groups are stranded above and below (due to several intensive and recurring landslides in the steep sections between Ghodatabela and Lama Hotel).  Above, at Kyangjin Gompa, there were reportedly fewer casualties (perhaps 5-10) yet many injured. Most of the injured have been evacuated via helicopter and there is an army medic team in place. Yet, currently, the problem is one of food shortage and illness.   I have heard that the majority of the...