Live: Eyewitness report from Nepal by the President of Nepal Mountaineering Association

While preparing this presentation, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake with a epicenter in the direction of the Everest region has shocked Nepal – May 12, 2015 at 12:52 p.m. Contact was made within 5 minutes of the earthquake through satellite phone with people in Khumbu:

• Damages to property has been vast in the Solukhumbu region
• Too early to report on human and livestock casualties
• Efforts to contact others in Khumbu have failed due to difficulties in communication lines
• Reports are streaming in of the effects in other parts of Nepal
• Damages and human casualties in Kathmandu are being reported
• Emergency cabinet meeting is being held in Singha Durbar, Kathmandu
• Prime Minister will address the nation any moment now

Live Feed: Today
May 12, 2015: 7.4 magnitude Earthquake
Ihave been receiving continuous phone calls since the earthquake at 12:52 p.m. today from various mountaineering associations, alpine clubs, media and other organizations associated with mountaineering and trekking.

Currently I am prioritizing emergency calls with information and reports from various mountainous parts of Nepal. Therefore I apologize if I have not been able to answer your calls or reply to your mail. I would like to request you to contact me only if absolutely necessary and when doing so to please keep it brief as I would like to keep lines free to receive urgent calls.

Similar to this report from the Everest Region, we are preparing initial reports of other mountainous regions. Please send us your contact details if you are interested in receiving these further reports.

THE 25TH APRIL EARTHQUAKE IMPACTS

1. People of Solukhumbu are still sleeping under the open sky at 13,000 to 18,000 feet without proper temporary shelters.

2. Monsoon season is approaching and this will further damage the existing fragile buildings, landscape, etc.

3. 70% of local residents depend on tourism for their annual income (through catering, guiding or portering) and several lodges and teashops have been damaged.

4. Acute skill labour shortages to rebuild private houses, teashops and lodges.

5. Poor communication systems due to geographic remote areas.

6. Government approach is limited especially in remote regions like upper Khumbu.

The Way Forward

• Immediate relief (such as food, shelter, medication, etc.) are required especially in the mountainous areas due to their remoteness.

• Assessment of damages to property and rebuilding plans will be required to provide long term shelter solutions.

• Funds shall be needed for locals to rebuild their homes and lives. With most mountainous areas dependent on tourism it will be vital that tourists return to boost the economy of these areas in the long term.

• Education is key to development of the nation. Schools therefore need to be rebuilt, restarted and allow children a safe environment to study.

• Destabilization of the landscape can cause landslides, avalanches, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), etc. Scientific and environmental research will be required to assess the risks and put in place short-term and long-term preventive measures.

To revive and rebuild from this multisector impact will take time, efforts and resources. This is not an easy task but a task of moving mountains. To overcome this Herculean task we will need your support in every way possible: morally, financially, physically and with your expertise and resources.

I hope and pray for a speedy recovery to all. Thank you.

Ang Tshering Sherpa
Chairman of Climate Alliance of Himalayan Communities
President of Nepal Mountaineering Association
Honorary Member of UIAA
(International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation)

Mr. Ang Tshering Sherpa, born on November 15, 1953 in Khumjung village of Solukhumbu district in Nepal, is serving his second stint as the President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). Since childhood he had been fascinated with mountaineering when he used to see his uncles and relatives going with foreign mountaineers in various capacities. With a command over the English, he even became an interpreter. Later on, he went on and handled many expeditions.