The Flood of 2010

Torrential rains unleashed a natural fury on the fragile north India Himalayan region of Ladakh on August 6, 2010.  The death, injury and destruction from the resulting catastrophic floods and mudslides have brought challenges to the people of Ladakh like few times in their ancient history.  Roads, countless residential homes, hospitals, radio stations and virtually all means of effective local and international communication have been severely damaged or destroyed.

The objective of this website is to share with concerned individuals and organizations the massive extent of the damage and deprivation now being suffered by so many innocent people and to hopefully inspire and mobilize the deep & wide ocean of compassion and support from the countless friends of Ladakh in their hour of need.  The long & brutal winter is approaching rapidly and thousands of people now homeless are in further peril.

Please learn, empathize and contribute whatever you can.  We all assure you that every act of financial compassion will be utilized for the individual welfare of someone in Ladakh, thunderstruck and suddenly marooned in a new world of suffocating loss.

The shock and awe of total destruction the first morning in Leh

Flood waters cut through houses like a knife

The road of devastation through the Tibetan village of Choglamsar

Please share the following seven minute video appeal from Mr. Eshey Tundup, the principal of Lamdon School-Leh, as he describes the challenges ahead for the students and staff of his school, as well as the greater family of Ladakh.

The Lamdon School account at State Bank of India-Leh is “operational”, so if there are any significant relief funds available, they can be sent immediately to the following account. If you let me know of any wire transfers sent, I will convey the specifics to Eshey Tundup. Confirmations will need to be verbal for the short term until internet facilities are reestablished. I will bring back all hard copies of receipts and itemized accounting of donation distributions when I return from Ladakh in December.

Bill Kite
ladakhflood@gmail.com

Bank information for flood relief donations:

State Bank of India, Leh #1365
Leh, Ladakh 194101
J & K, India

Account name:  Lamdon Senior Secondary School (Flood Relief Fund)

Account Number: 10942161101

Bank Swift Code: SBININ BB280