Rockville Woman Uses Social Media to Find Relatives in Nepal Earthquake Zone

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When the phone rings at 5 a.m., it’s never good news.

That was the case this weekend for Rockville resident Namita Acharya, who is a native of Nepal and has many family members still living in the country that was rocked by a severe earthquake Saturday. Acharya is the webmaster for the Montgomery County Council, reports Montgomery Community Media.

The power of social media helped her learn the fate of her family members.

Acharya finally reached her sister through Facebook to check on her extended family. Her 84-year-old grandmother with respiratory problems was taken to a neighbor’s house for care.

“We’re very desperate that now we’re back here, how we can help those victims in Nepal who are still experiencing many aftershocks,” she told the county media site.

The death toll from Saturday’s massive earthquake in mountainous Nepal has reached 4,000, reports USA Today. Another 6,500 people are missing in Nepal’s worst natural disaster in more than 80 years.

The magnitude-7.8 earthquake toppled buildings in Katmandu, and triggered avalanches on Mount Everest that killed climbers on the world’s tallest peak. The New York Times reports at least 18 mountain climbers died from falling rock and ice on Everest, while dozens of injured climbers and guides have been evacuated by helicopter.

Acharya urges that Montgomery County residents who want to help those in Nepal donate to a reputable international relief organization such as the American Red Cross, Oxfam or UNICEF.

The country needs food, clean water and medical supplies, she says.

Many Nepal residents are camping outside, afraid a strong aftershock will cause their house to collapse. They describe the tremors as walking on Jell-O.

An online site Nepal Earthquake allows survivors to register their names, and families can post seeking information about loved ones.

CARE, a humanitarian organization providing emergency aid and fighting global poverty, is accepting donations for emergency food, water and shelter. You can also give to the American Red Cross Nepal earthquake relief effort.

This image shows Durbar Square in Katmandu, the capital of Nepal, after Saturday’s deadly earthquake and avalanche. (Photo via Flickr/Mapbox)

Other Stories About This On Patch:

• AmeriCares Sends Personnel, Supplies to Nepal Following Devastating Earthquake
• Google Exec, Adventurer Tragically Killed In Mt. Everest Avalanche
• 3 With Michigan Ties Alive After Nepal Earthquake, More Still Missing
• Santa Monica Filmmaker Killed by Nepal Quake’s Mount Everest Avalanche
• New Jersey Resident Among Those Missing in Nepal
• Lansdale Woman Working To Raise Funds For Native Nepal