Nepal has declared September 7 a national day of mourning in memory of those who lost their lives in the devastating floods that struck the Bhotekoshi River region on August 26.
The decision was taken by the Cabinet on September 3. Government offices across Nepal, along with Nepali embassies and diplomatic missions abroad, are flying the national flag at half-mast as a mark of respect to the victims.
Disaster Struck 13 Days Ago
The catastrophe began on August 26 after an ice-rock or glacier-related event in the Himalayan region triggered a massive surge of water and debris.
The resulting floods and landslides devastated areas around the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems, damaging homes, roads, bridges, hydropower projects and other critical infrastructure.
More Than 1,300 Bodies Recovered
According to the latest Nepal Police figures cited by IANS, 1,353 bodies had been recovered by Sunday evening. Of these, 530 were men and 328 were women, while 495 bodies had been recovered in parts and remained unidentified.
Police said 3,992 people remained out of contact, including 595 foreign nationals.
Authorities are continuing efforts to identify recovered bodies and reunite families with missing relatives. DNA testing is also being used in the identification process.
Search Operations Continue
Despite the national mourning, authorities have not halted rescue and recovery operations.
Security agencies are concentrating their efforts around hydropower projects along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli corridors, where workers are still believed to be missing or potentially trapped inside tunnels.
The Independent Power Producers' Association, Nepal, said 919 workers at 11 hydropower projects remained unaccounted for as of Sunday evening.
Recent Rescues Bring Hope
Several dramatic rescues in recent days have given families and rescuers renewed hope.
Two Nepali hydropower workers were rescued alive from the Upper Trishuli 3A project on September 4. A Chinese national was subsequently rescued from the Upper Trishuli-1 project on September 5.
Search teams therefore continue to examine tunnels and damaged hydropower facilities for possible survivors.
No Major Government Ceremony
Although September 7 has been declared a national mourning day, the government has not organised large public ceremonies because search and rescue operations are still continuing.
Nepal’s President Ram Chandra Paudel is visiting flood-affected areas to assess the damage and meet communities affected by the disaster.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah has also assured affected elderly people and families that the government remains committed to supporting them.
A Nation Still Waiting for Answers
The mourning comes as thousands of families continue to wait for information about missing relatives.
Beyond the loss of life, the disaster has caused severe damage to infrastructure and livelihoods. Authorities now face the difficult task of identifying victims, locating missing people, supporting displaced families and rebuilding damaged communities.
