Following the
devastating earthquake of 25 April we have been updated on the current
situation by the Nepal agent. The good
news is that none of our contacts (or their immediate family) in Nepal were
injured. The initial quake and the aftershocks
have caused significant damage to the country and it will take a lot of time,
effort and money to repair and rebuild what they have lost.
The good news
is that the airport is open, most of the main roads were not damaged and the
main tourist hotels sustained little damage.
Pokhara and Chitwan (major tourist destinations) were not badly affected. But Kathmandu and the Valley suffered greatly
- much of Nepal’s cultural heritage buildings and temples were lost or severely
damaged – particularly some of the buildings in Nepal’s Durbar Squares. See the before and after photographs
below. At this stage we do not know when
it will be sensible to visit as a tourist- but we will continue to monitor the
situation.