Nepal mourns flood dead as nearly 5,000 remain missing

Nepal observed a national day of mourning for victims of the Rasuwa flash floods. The tribute comes as thousands remain missing and rescue teams continue a massive search.Nepal observed a national day of mourning on Monday, the 13th day after the Rasuwa flash flood disaster, to honour more than 1,340 people killed in one of the country’s deadliest natural disasters in recent years.Nearly 5,000 people are still missing, including 589 foreign nationals, after flash floods hit Rasuwa, which borders China, and adjoining districts on August 26 following an ice-rock avalanche in the high Himalayas. The disaster caused widespread loss of life and heavy damage to infrastructure in northern and central Nepal, even as search and rescue operations continued in the worst-hit areas.The government declared September 7 a national day of mourning for victims of the floods that swept through Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and other areas along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems. The mourning is being observed on the 13th day after the disaster, in line with the Hindu practice of marking the thirteenth day after a death. In many Hindu communities, this day is seen as an important part of the mourning period, when rituals are performed to honour the dead and mark the end of the formal mourning period.“The national flag will be flown at half-mast at government offices across the country and at Nepali diplomatic missions abroad,” the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement issued on Sunday. The floods caused large-scale destruction of homes, roads, bridges, hydropower projects, government offices and other critical infrastructure. Search and rescue operations are continuing, including inside hydropower project tunnels, with security personnel and specialised international rescue teams working to trace missing people and recover bodies. At least 32,000 families have been displaced, around 7,500 houses have been completely destroyed, and livelihoods and essential infrastructure across central Nepal have been severely disrupted. The government has mobilised the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and other agencies for search, rescue, relief and recovery work. Specialist teams from neighbouring countries, including India, have also joined efforts to rescue people believed to be trapped in hydropower tunnels.Meanwhile, the government has declared Tuesday, September 8, a public holiday to mark Gen Z Martyrs’ Day. On the same day last year, Gen Z-led protests broke out in Kathmandu against a government decision to ban social media platforms, alleged corruption, and what protesters described as the ostentatious lifestyles of the children of influential politicians and officials. The protests turned violent after security personnel opened fire near the Parliament building, killing 72 people, including children, and eventually forcing then prime minister K P Sharma Oli to resign. The developments led to the dissolution of Parliament and the collapse of the government led by the CPN-UML and Nepali Congress. A caretaker government was later formed, and fresh parliamentary elections were held on March 5 this year. The polls brought the Gen Z-backed Rastriya Swatantra Party, led by Rabi Lamichhane, to power with an almost two-thirds majority, with former Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah becoming prime minister. Monday’s mourning marked Nepal’s tribute to those killed in the floods, while the public holiday on Tuesday will mark Gen Z Martyrs’ Day, against the backdrop of continuing rescue work, large-scale displacement and major political changes over the past year.With PTI Inputs- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Sep 7, 2026 08:46 IST