In brief
On 7 September, Nepal held a national day of mourning after a flash flood—believed to follow a glacial collapse—killed 1,287 people and still leaves over 5,000 missing. Flags flew at half‑mast and civilians lit candles to honour the dead, marking the last day of a traditional 13‑day Hindu mourning period. Rescue operations are ongoing, with army and air units, including Chinese support, searching for survivors in tunnels, hydropower stations and villages. President Ram Chandra Paudel inspected the damage while officials confirmed no government programmes would be organised until the search ends. The country’s sense of loss is palpable as communities rally to keep hope alive amid ongoing tragedies.
National Day of Mourning in Nepal
On Monday, Nepal marked a national day of mourning for the victims of a flash flood that killed at least 1,287 people and left more than 5,000 still missing.
As flags flew at half‑mast, citizens lit candles to honour the dead, marking the final day of a traditional 13‑day Hindu mourning period. Candlelight vigils were planned for the evening, though formal government programmes were postponed until the search ends.
The flash flood—believed to have been triggered by a glacial collapse—swept through villages in a Himalayan valley along the Nepal‑Tibet border. Rescue teams continue to scour the area by ground, air and tunnels, including hydropower stations where several hundred workers were trapped.
Army spokesperson Raja Ram Basnet said the tempo of the rescue operation remains steady, assuring that no one is still stranded. The home ministry confirmed that all government offices, including overseas missions, would display the national flag at half‑mast for the day.
President Ram Chandra Paudel visited the most devastated areas, while local officials reported that four people have recently been rescued in tunnels or hydropower sites. The search continues, with professional rescue teams and international experts, including Australian tunnel specialist Arnold Dix, coordinating efforts across multiple sites.
