Nepal - Earthquake (25 April 2015)
 

Looks bad...

http://news.sky.com/story/1471939/de...roys-buildings

Thanks for letting us know, Lancaster Lad. A good friend is on her way to Nepal for work. I was able to find out that she is not in Kathmandu. She had decided to spend an extra day in Bangkok instead of leaving for there as planned this morning.
It does sound bad. We are sending our hopes and whatever stands in for prayers if one is not religious.

Also: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/26/wo...=top-news&_r=0

Death toll is already near a thousand, including at least two dead on Everest.

This is horrendous - Nepal hasn't the resources to cope with a disaster on this scale.

Were there any posters in Nepal? I haven't been keeping track.

Very devastating.

Very sad. Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world. Hopefully, many nations will send help.

This is terrible.

http://www.himalayan-foundation.org

has set up a relief fund. They are very good. 100% of donations will go to helping alleviate suffering.

From NYT:
Though many have worried about the stability of the concrete high-rises that have been hastily erected in Katmandu, the most terrible damage on Saturday was to the oldest part of the city, which is studded with temples and palaces made of wood and unmortared brick.

Four of the area’s seven Unesco World Heritage sites were severely damaged in the earthquake: Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a temple complex built in the shape of a conch shell; Patan Durbar Square, which dates to the third century; Basantapur Durbar Square, which was the residence of Nepal’s royal family until the 19th century; and the Boudhanath Stupa, one of the oldest Buddhist monuments in the Himalayas.

For many, the most breathtaking architectural loss was the nine-story Dharahara Tower, which was built in 1832 on the orders of the queen. The tower had recently reopened to the public, and visitors could ascend a narrow spiral staircase to a viewing platform around 200 feet above the city.

I am also wondering about Bandipur, which is about as far from the epicenter as Kathmandu is. Pokhara is pretty close, too.

The loss of life and the loss of cultural/architectural heritage is just tragic.

The loss of life is tragic. According to this recent report on the BBC the death toll has risen to 1800. 17 people on Everest have been killed in avalanches. The relief/ rescue efforts appear to have start with the EU, US and China pledging aid and the Chinese have already despatched rescue teams.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-32470731

The NY Times lists charities that are in a good position to help: http://www.nytimes.com/live/earthqua...fort-in-nepal/

I'd add Mercy Corps to this list, as they also have people on the ground in Nepal.

It's also worth taking a look at http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/international-home

They have some CCTV footage taken during the earthquake. It goes on for a looong time.

Another dynamic, regularly updated link...

http://earthquake-report.com/2015/04...april-25-2015/

Nepal attract $zillions in Foreign Aid every year. Perhaps now is the time for all corruption [not just government corruption] in Nepal to stop, and the money spent on the right causes.

Here is another list of agencies that are providing relief in Nepal:

http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-04-2...ing-earthquake

The American Himalayan Foundation is in a situation where 100 per cent of donations go directly to aid.

The photos are heartbreaking.

First photo I've seen from outside Kathmandu - http://earthquake-report.com/2015/04...april-25-2015/

Same site reports a major aftershock has closed Kathmandu airport again.

Death toll is up to 2,500+ but surely must go higher. Surprised there is no news out of Pokhara.

I have a close personal friend on Everest, Jim Davidson, top notch climber, professional speaker and adventurer. To say the least I am sick with worry. My Annapurna trip got diverted to nearby Thailand but I am praying hard for all involved, and hoping that Jim makes it out alive. My heart just breaks. I have friends in Kathmandu, no word yet. A terrible reminder we cannot take anything for granted, that wonders and friends may not be there tomorrow. Thanks to all for their diligent reporting and shared information, and for caring enough to stay involved.

jh - search engines are your friend.

Assuming there is only one Jim Davidson, author, on Everest at present, see: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_27...camp-following

Some before and after photos of some of Nepal's temples and stupas damaged by the quake.
http://thinkprogress.org/world/2015/...al-earthquake/