Nepal Observes National Day of Mourning for Flood Victims; Death Toll Rises to 1,353

Nepal is observing a National Day of Mourning on Monday in honour of those who lost their lives in the devastating Bhote Koshi River floods in Rasuwa district on August 26.

The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting on September 3. The national flag is being flown at half-mast at government offices across Nepal, as well as at Nepali embassies and diplomatic missions abroad.

According to Nepal Police, 1,353 bodies had been recovered by Sunday evening, including 530 men and 328 women. Another 495 bodies were recovered in parts and remain unidentified. Police said 3,992 people are still unaccounted for, including 595 foreign nationals.

Of the recovered bodies, 1,044 have been buried, while identification and management of the remaining bodies are underway.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Balendra Shah has assured elderly flood victims that they are not alone and that the state and government stand firmly with them.

Security agencies continue search and rescue operations, particularly at hydropower projects along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors. The Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN), said 919 employees at 11 hydropower projects remained unaccounted for as of Sunday evening.

Rescue teams have also managed to save several people alive, including two Nepali nationals from the 60-MW Upper Trishuli 3A project on September 4 and a Chinese national from the 216-MW Upper Trishuli-1 project on September 5.