Nepali community in N.Y. fears for loved ones

A massive rescue effort is underway along the Nepal-China border after catastrophic flood waters several stories high gushed through communities triggered by what authorities say is a glacier collapse.

There is a significant Nepali community in upstate New York.

Thousands of people who were born there, lived there and have relatives in the region devastated by the flood waters are desperately trying to learn more about their loved ones.

“My heart is really heavy right now,” said Lighthouse Christian Fellowship Church Pastor Dinesh Rai.

He leads one of the Rochester area’s churches that represents the community of Nepal.

“Mostly our congregation is a group of people from Bhutanese Nepali and Nepal Nepali and there are a lot of congregation’s members from the Nepal where the flood happened,” said Rai.

He is doing what he can to console the Nepali people who attend services there along with all those who are trying to cope with the tragedy in their home country.

“It’s a big, big, big tragedy for Nepal and Nepalis, and a lot of things going on, and so the first and foremost thing is how can we be helpful to them,” said Rai.

Authorities say the flooding wiped out buildings, bridges and virtually all infrastructure in some areas.

“There are many families that are from those areas where the towns and cities are wiped out and they are trying to reach their families, but they are still not able to connect with their families and loved ones,” said Rai.

A short distance from the church, the owner of a Nepali restaurant reacted. Mohan Subba lived in Nepal for more than 18 years.

“When I saw the first time, I was very, very scared,” said Subba. “People losing their life in a second, people losing family… it’s very emotional.”

While Rai prays for those in Nepal, he offers these words to Nepalis in our area: “Please be calm and try to help yourself first, then we can help them.”

As the death toll continues to rise and fears for loved ones increase, Rai says efforts here in the community are underway to help as fundraisers and other events are being planned.