Hundreds of people are reported dead and thousands missing after a glacial collapse triggered destructive flooding near the Nepal-Tibet border, with the devastation being felt nearly 8,000 miles away in Sacramento's Nepali community.
Members of the Greater Sacramento Nepali Community Center say they struggled to contact loved ones in Nepal after the flooding disrupted electricity and phone service.
"They have no idea because there is no connection, no electricity, no telephone," Deepak Maskey, president of the Greater Sacramento Nepali Community Center, said. "They were just scared about what happened. looking for information about their families, friends and especially extended families."
Jagadish Shrestha, secretary of the Greater Sacramento Nepali Community Center, has relatives directly affected by the flooding.
"There are more and more devastating videos and pictures," Shrestha said. "We really feel bad and we've tried to contact our family in Nepal."
When Shrestha was eventually able to make contact, he learned one of his relatives had been trapped on a roof for more than a day.
"It's very bad. I feel very bad," Shrestha said. "But then I was like, feel lucky when I heard they rescued her."
Shrestha said his family is among many dealing with the aftermath of the disaster.
"The situation in Nepal [is] very miserable," Shrestha said. "A lot of people lost their life, and still, they are recovering a lot of bodies."
Following news of the flooding, the Greater Sacramento Nepali Community Center's board held emergency meetings to discuss how it could help people affected by the disaster.
"If something happens, how we can unite it? How can we help?" Maskey said. "Help, it shouldn't be big, it can be small. If you can contribute even a small part, that will make a huge difference when you are in need."
After those discussions, the community center said it plans to provide financial donations and is asking members of the Sacramento-area community to contribute.
"Everybody, please just help," Shrestha said. "Your small help, it means a lot. It's a really difficult time for Nepal. I wish all the people are going to recover soon from this difficult situation."
The Greater Sacramento Nepali Community Center is providing updates on its efforts through its Facebook page.
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