Langtang Rebuilding - a photo essay
Langtang valley is referred to as 'ground zero' of the 2015 earthquakes. It is the site of the single most devastating event of the earthquake when a landslide from the peak of Langtang Lirung came down on Langtang village with the force of half an atomic bomb killing 175 people instantly, burying them below metres of rock.
One year on, the people of Langtang are working hard rebuilding their livelihoods. They are keen to get the message out that Langtang valley is once again open for business.
The site of Langtang Village, once the heart of the national park. Now buried under rock from the landslide that was triggered by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit on April 25th 2015. Prayer flags are blessing of long life, they litter what is now a grave for hundreds of people.
Karchung Tamang sits next to her pile of kindling sorting through it. Beside her is the ruin of her house, once a lodge and restaurant. She has no job, no income and relies on the charity of friends and family.
She is pointing to a cave behind her, although she cannot talk she gestures it is where the people of Kyanjin Gumba hid during the aftermath of the great landslide. They hid for 9 days before rescue came from Kathmandu.
The view of Langtang village from down the valley showing the extent of the damage and the size of the landslide.
On the outskirts of Kyanjim Gumba stands Cheoten Lama.
Nyima Gyalmu Tamang at Bhanjyangaon, behind her the haze that started after the earthquake last year.
A Sherpa worker from Okuldhunga coming into the warmth of the fire after being out in a storm rebuilding the roof of Cheten and Babu Tamang's house.
Woman at Thulo Syabru, breaking stones into smaller pieces for the construction of a new path in the damaged village. Her life has been changed forever by the earthquake, all day she breaks stones to rebuild the town that once flourished.
Tenzing Gyalbu, single father trying to run a guest house. Since the earthquake damaged the house he has been struggling to make an income to pay for the rebuilding. Tenzing just returned from 3 days of wood chopping with his Kukuri.
Rebuilding in Mundu, Pasang Tamang rebuilds his sisters house with the help of his friends.
Who builds how and why
Volunteers coming into the region to help with the transport of wood. Carrying the wood up valley many miles per day weighing up to 50 kilograms. They cannot afford to use helicopters for transport so this is the only way.
Transporting a giant wooden beam across the scree formed by one of the giant landslides that happened last April.
Sawing the wood down valley and carrying it up
Working with wood, milled in the valley, carried by hand and then finally worked with using planes and saws.
Working with stone, chipping the larger pieces into square shapes to make the building stones that make up most of the houses in the region.
Stones are chipped into smaller pieces for the construction of paths and floors.
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Although life has been difficult since the earthquake, the people of Langtang are incredibly resilient. Maintaining positivity is what keeps them going. The attitude to do what ever must be done to rebuild and continue life.
Tsiring talking about her three children who live in Kathmandu after their father, her husband was killed during the earthquake in Langtang village on April 25th.
Maya talking about the future, she has no options. She does not get to make choices about her life all she is looking to do is find work abroad as the best option for supporting her family.
Tenzing Gyalbu, Maya's father remains positive and upbeat all the time despite life being hard. He spends his days working favour to favour.
Nyima Gyalmu Lama
Sherap Tamang runs a guest house, works as a sherpa and also a baker. Doing whatever he can to make a living however all these trades rely on tourism.
Playing falas, a card game with the volunteers in Sherap's home. He entertains them and plays with them showing his great hospitality which is prevelent throughout the region from everyone.
Langtang is utterly stunning, the himalayas twering ove rthe villages and the weather on a permanent cylce that creates clear sunrise almost every morning.