Tsakhor village marks earthquake recovery while preparing for Losar New Year

One year after a magnitude-6.8 earthquake struck Dingri county, Xizang autonomous region, residents of Tsakhor village, have moved into newly rebuilt homes and are preparing to celebrate the upcoming Shigatse Losar New Year.

The earthquake, which hit on Jan 7, 2025, left the village's 53 households grappling with collapsed homes and damaged roads. Since then, reconstruction efforts have reshaped the village, with newly built Tibetan-style houses, cement roads, solar streetlights now in place.

Golden fried dough sticks, a traditional New Year food symbolizing harvest and good fortune, are being prepared as villagers make ready for the holiday. Pema Chungdak, a resident of the village, said that the golden color embodies harvest and wishes for a happy life and hopes for the new year.

"At this time last year, the earthquake left us devoid of the mood for celebrating New Year," Pema Chungdak said. "This year, we are finally able to move into bright, spacious, and warm new homes. We've made plenty of preparations to celebrate with our families."