Earthquake Aftermath

Cracks are warnings of more landslides to come, and in Palanchok, Kavre, they fear the worst. On the ridge in ward 6, everybody’s worried about the cracks that opened up during the quake. Birman Pahari saw it happen: “In seconds…

The ridge in Palanchok, Kavre district, has been our favourite destination for weekend trips for years, and we’ll always be coming back. But it will never be the same – not in the near future, at least. Situated on a beautiful ridge with green valleys on both sides, Palanchok is home to a sacred goddess and to locals who always welcome visitors with warm hospitality. Now, 90 percent of the village is destroyed. Staying warm and dry during the cold nights, when the ridge is covered by low clouds, is the most immediate issue. Rebuilding the houses is an enormous challenge long-term. These images of before and after the earthquake illustrate why.

It’s just one of thousands of villages. But it’s the one we have visited the most. The earthquake destroyed almost all the houses and left the rest damaged. What next?! It was a beautiful, thriving village – until 25 April…

Chief District Officer of Sindhupalchowk, Krishna Prasad Gyawali, just abandoned his post. It’s not “dereliction of duty”, he explains, but a call for help!

The tragedy that has hit Nepal is still hard to fathom. The loss of life, the injuries, the terror under the endless aftershocks, the destruction of homes, public buildings and centuries of cultural heritage… On the night of the quake…