Winnipeg Nepalese community shocked after deadly earthquake

Winnipeg's Nepalese community is in shock after a Saturday earthquake devastated the asian country of Nepal. Nearly 1,400 people are confirmed dead and that number is expected to climb. 

• Nepal earthquake deaths hit nearly 1,400

• Canadians among Mount Everest climbers hit by quake, avalanche

The majority of the 700 or so Nepali natives living in Winnipeg have family or friends in Nepal affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake. 

So far, the Nepali Cultural Society of Manitoba said none of its members have reported losing anyone to the earthquake that also triggered a avalanche on Mount Everest, burying and killing at least 10 climbers in the process. That number is expected to rise as rescue crews scan mountain sides for bodies in the area in the coming days and weeks.

'We were very worried'

Smrita Rajbhandary moved to Winnipeg nine years ago but grew up in Kathmandu. She said her family in Winnipeg got a call from her brother at 3 a.m. this morning.

"When he called us the voice was very scratchy and we didn't know the magnitude of the earthquake or the situation there," said Rajbhandary. "We were very worried."

While Rajbhandary said her family is OK, she's heartbroken to see so many historic sites reduced to piles of rubble.

"Some of those structures, I played there as a kid," she said. "Today, I see some of those structures aren't there anymore. I have a six-year-old and I want him to go there and see those structures. And I don't know if they will be [remade]."

Chitra Pradhan described what it was like talking to his nephew in Kathmandu following the quake.

"We were talking and the second or third tremor came back, and then he screamed and then our phones went dead," said Pradhan. "I haven't heard from him after that."

Pradhan said he's going to keep calling his nephew until he gets through.

The Napalese community is meeting again Sunday to plan fundraising efforts.