Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
As the desperate search for survivors continues following catastrophic flooding in Nepal, people in Rochester are stepping up to support those affected.
“We might be thousands of miles away, but our heart is with the people of Nepal,” said Bijaya Khadka, president of the Bhutanese Community of Greater Rochester.
Nepali police say more than 390 people are dead and more than 1,400 remain missing after a landslide triggered flash flooding along the Nepal-Tibet border Wednesday morning.
The State Department said it is aware of about 90 Americans who are missing and has pledged $500,000 to support emergency shelter and relief supplies.
Scientists say the deadly flooding was likely caused by a chunk of glacier breaking off and temporarily damming a river, leading to a surge of water downstream.
Here at home, local groups are coming together to support relief efforts.
According to recent census data, more than 2,700 Nepalese people live in Monroe County.
“Rochester has always been a community that responds when people are hurting, and today the people of Nepal need the compassion,” Khadka said.
He said the local community has been devastated by the disaster.
“Parents have lost their children. Children have lost their parents, and people have lost their homes,” Khadka said. “Really, they have lost everything overnight, without any warning or any signs.”
Khadka said he does not have family directly impacted, but friends of his have relatives living near where the flooding occurred.
“My friends' relatives are living near where the incident happened,” he said. “They evacuated their home before it got into them.”
The Bhutanese Community of Greater Rochester is planning a vigil Saturday to honor those who died. A fundraiser has also been launched through the group's Facebook page.
READ MORE:
_______________
Stay up to date with our social media:
13 WHAM on Facebook: facebook.com/13WHAM
13 WHAM on Twitter: twitter.com/13WHAM
13WHAM on Instagram: instagram.com/13whamtv/?hl=en
13WHAM on TikTok: tiktok.com/@13wham?lang=en
13 WHAM Daily Local News Digest: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuTJB6tta5ar3Fu5CumAvlvVunEP6bc9A
For more information, visit 13wham.com
Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:
Email us: news@13wham.com
Call the Newsroom: (585) 334-8700
WHAM is a NY based station and a ABC Television affiliate owned and operated by Deerfield Media, Inc and receives certain services from an affiliation of Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today.
#13WHAM #News #Rochester #NewYork
As the desperate search for survivors continues following catastrophic flooding in Nepal, people in Rochester are stepping up to support those affected.
“We might be thousands of miles away, but our heart is with the people of Nepal,” said Bijaya Khadka, president of the Bhutanese Community of Greater Rochester.
Nepali police say more than 390 people are dead and more than 1,400 remain missing after a landslide triggered flash flooding along the Nepal-Tibet border Wednesday morning.
The State Department said it is aware of about 90 Americans who are missing and has pledged $500,000 to support emergency shelter and relief supplies.
Scientists say the deadly flooding was likely caused by a chunk of glacier breaking off and temporarily damming a river, leading to a surge of water downstream.
Here at home, local groups are coming together to support relief efforts.
According to recent census data, more than 2,700 Nepalese people live in Monroe County.
“Rochester has always been a community that responds when people are hurting, and today the people of Nepal need the compassion,” Khadka said.
He said the local community has been devastated by the disaster.
“Parents have lost their children. Children have lost their parents, and people have lost their homes,” Khadka said. “Really, they have lost everything overnight, without any warning or any signs.”
Khadka said he does not have family directly impacted, but friends of his have relatives living near where the flooding occurred.
“My friends' relatives are living near where the incident happened,” he said. “They evacuated their home before it got into them.”
The Bhutanese Community of Greater Rochester is planning a vigil Saturday to honor those who died. A fundraiser has also been launched through the group's Facebook page.
READ MORE:
_______________
Stay up to date with our social media:
13 WHAM on Facebook: facebook.com/13WHAM
13 WHAM on Twitter: twitter.com/13WHAM
13WHAM on Instagram: instagram.com/13whamtv/?hl=en
13WHAM on TikTok: tiktok.com/@13wham?lang=en
13 WHAM Daily Local News Digest: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuTJB6tta5ar3Fu5CumAvlvVunEP6bc9A
For more information, visit 13wham.com
Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:
Email us: news@13wham.com
Call the Newsroom: (585) 334-8700
WHAM is a NY based station and a ABC Television affiliate owned and operated by Deerfield Media, Inc and receives certain services from an affiliation of Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today.
#13WHAM #News #Rochester #NewYork
