Hundreds of flood‑displaced families are taking refuge in a Buddhist monastery in Kathmandu after the raging waters along the Nepal‑Tibet border swept away villages, homes, and lives. Among them is Tsering Gelbu Lama, who still has not told his four‑year‑old daughter that her mother perished in the disaster.

“I don’t know how I will pass on our culture to her,” Lama said, gently feeding his child rice while trying to hold back tears. The monks’ hall, now a makeshift shelter, is filled with the sounds of grieving parents and the rustle of prayer flags.

Culture at risk

Survivors say the loss extends far beyond physical property. Their ancestral lands held the rituals, languages, and festivals that define more than 120 ethnic groups across Nepal. “We’ve become homeless not only because we’ve lost our land — we’ve become homeless with our culture and tradition,” said Tsering Sherpa, 36, from Rasuwa district.

Rasuwa, a remote Himalayan district known for its distinct Buddhist heritage, has seen its monasteries and communal spaces destroyed. The Tamang Heritage Trail, once a popular trek for visitors seeking authentic Tibetan Buddhist culture, now lies silent.

Children and the future

Volunteers like Alina Lama, 26, a shelter worker from Rasuwa, worry about orphaned children who have lost both parents and the elders who taught them traditional practices. “We don’t know who will teach them,” she said.

Save the Children estimates that thousands of children need humanitarian assistance, though exact numbers of orphans remain unknown.

Loss of heirlooms and festivals

Many families fled with only the clothes on their backs, leaving behind heirlooms passed down through generations. Important Buddhist autumn festivals, once celebrated in local monasteries, now face disappearance without the sacred spaces and knowledgeable monks to lead them.

“If I can’t follow the tradition now, how can I pass it on to the next generation?” asked Sherpa, echoing the fear that centuries‑old customs may vanish.

Hope amid hardship

Despite the devastation, survivors continue to share photos and videos of their pre‑flood lives—women gathering juniper for incense, colorful traditional dress, and communal dances—hoping to preserve a visual record of their heritage.

International aid agencies are working to provide emergency shelter, food, and medical care, while local volunteers strive to keep cultural knowledge alive for the children who remain.

Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.