Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing in Nepal following severe flooding, leaving many Bay Area families with connections to the region anxiously awaiting news about their loved ones. Communication disruptions due to power outages have made it difficult for families to reach those in the hardest-hit areas.
Jay Tamang, a Greenbrae resident, expressed his shock upon seeing images of the disaster. He reported that he and his wife have relatives and friends in Nepal, some of whom are in affected communities. Tamang noted, "We tried to contact friends and family, but there was no cellphone connection or electricity right now. It's really unknown."
The scale of the flooding has resulted in at least 579 confirmed deaths and over 2,500 people reported missing. Anu Gupta from San Ramon shared her personal connection to the crisis, revealing that relatives who were traveling through the disaster zone have not been heard from since the floods began. Gupta remains hopeful that they reached higher ground and survived.
The lack of information has led to an international search effort, largely fueled by social media as families attempt to gather updates. Gupta described the situation as "traumatic" and "devastating."
Support is growing in the Bay Area, particularly within its significant Nepali and Tibetan communities. Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia acknowledged the community's concerns, noting a mix of fear and resilience among local leaders. A candlelight vigil is scheduled for Thursday evening at the Nepali Community Center in Richmond, where community members can gather to honor victims and support families still waiting for news.
