Himalayan floods devastate Tamang heartland: 'Everything is gone'

Flash floods in the Himalayas have devastated the heartland of the Tamang ethnic minority, a group whose culture and religion differ significantly from Nepal's majority Hindu population. The floods have destroyed important Tamang pilgrimage sites, raising concerns about their reconstruction.

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The flood-affected area is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for the Tamang people. A large part of it is now destroyed.

Tasi Lama Tamang, secretary-general of the Tamang World Organization, expressed worry that the Nepali government, which is predominantly Hindu, might not fully grasp the significance of these Buddhist sites or provide adequate resources for their rebuilding. Tamangs, who constitute over five percent of Nepal's population, feel underrepresented in the administration and often perceived as "backward" by other groups.

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We have a disproportionately small representation in the administration.

Tamangs typically sustain themselves through agriculture, producing goods like yak milk and sheep wool. They are known for their hard work, bravery, and entertainment, with Tamang singers gaining popularity even in India. Tamang communities are concentrated in the upper reaches of the Trishuli River in the Rasuwa district, where the glacial outburst flood first struck.

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Others consider us backward.

In the upper villages, many Tamangs did not receive timely warnings, leading to significant loss of life and homes. Those living further downstream had a one to two-hour window to prepare. One harrowing account from a survivor in Syabru Besi, one of the first towns hit, described the scene as "everything is gone. Nothing is left" before the communication line went dead.

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In the upper villages, the Tamangs did not have time to receive a warning. That is why many lives were lost there, in addition to houses.