Triangle Nepalese pray, plead for help for earthquake victims

Babu Dawadi was among dozens who stopped by the Hindu Society of North Carolina Temple in Morrisville to grieve and pray.

His hometown no longer exists. It was near the earthquake's epicenter.

“The place where I lived is not there anymore,” he said. “The house where I grew up, there is nothing left.”

Ishwar Devkota was at the temple praying for his 86-year-old father.

“My own father is living outside in the yard,” he said. “The whole night he’s been in the yard and I’m very concerned with how he’s doing.”

The earthquake was so strong that it was felt in parts of India, Bangladesh, Tibet and Pakistan.

As rescuers help those in need, Dawadi hopes the Triangle is able to assist with humanitarian efforts.

Right now, he’s feeling guilty because he’s not there helping others.

“You know, they are facing so much trouble in my village, and then I’m not there,” he said. "I can think of it, but I can’t even help them out. So I don’t know what to do. So I’m hoping this community from North Carolina and around the world will help them.”

In Cary, more than 200 people gathered at Bond Park for a candlelight vigil for the earthquake victims.

One of those victims was Ashish Hada's father.

"The last time I talked to my father, he said 'I'm alive right now and this may be the last time that I'm talking to you so I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow,'" he said. "'If I live tomorrow I'm going to call you.'"

Earthquake victims are forced to sleep outside in fear of aftershocks further damaging already fragile building, Hada said.

Some at the vigil, like Bragya Thapa, expressed regret. Her 1-year-old daughter is in Nepal.

"I sent her for a few months so that I can work and bring her back," she said. "But that was the worst decision I have made. Now I want her back here."