Nepal holds day of national mourning for lives lost in devastating floods

Nepal on Monday (September 7) observed a national day of mourning on the 13th day since the flash flood disaster, honouring more than 1,340 people who lost their lives in one of the country's deadliest natural disasters in recent history.

Nearly 5,000 people including 589 foreign nationals are missing after Rasuwa bordering China and adjoining districts were hit on August 26. The disaster was sparked by an ice-rock avalanche in the high Himalayas that killed many people and damaged infrastructure across northern and central Nepal.

Tribute meetings were held at various places of Nepal to pay homage to those that lost their lives. People also organized prayer services and lit lamps, hoping for eternal peace for the souls who had departed. A tribute meeting was held at Ghantaghar Chowk in Birgunj Metropolitan City of Nepal, near Raxaul on the border of Bihar and Nepal where people lit lamps and prayed for the victims.

The Nepal government has declared September 7 a national day of mourning to mourn the victims of the devastating floods that hit Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and other places along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems.

According to the traditional Hindu practice of marking the thirteenth day after a death, the mourning day is being observed on the 13th day after the disaster. In many Hindu communities, the 13th day marks an important milestone in the period of mourning and rituals are performed to honor the departed and to mark the end of the formal period of mourning.

“National flag will be flown at half-mast in government offices across the country and Nepali diplomatic missions abroad,” said the Ministry of Home Affairs in a statement issued on Sunday.

The devastating floods caused huge loss of life and widespread destruction of homes, roads, bridges, hydro-power projects, government offices and other critical infrastructure.

Search and rescue operations continue in the worst-affected areas, including tunnels of hydropower projects, where security personnel and specialized international rescue teams are working to locate missing people and recover bodies.

The disaster has displaced at least 32,000 families, destroyed about 7,500 houses completely, and severely disrupted livelihoods and essential infrastructure across central Nepal.

The government has mobilized Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and other agencies for search, rescue, relief and recovery operations. Expert teams from India and other neighboring countries have also arrived to help rescue those believed to be trapped inside the hydropower tunnels.