Kathmandu, Nepal – On Monday, the 13th day since the catastrophic monsoon floods began, Nepal observed an official day of mourning. Government offices across the capital lowered their flags to half‑staff, and families gathered to perform final rites for loved ones lost in the disaster.
Rituals and cultural traditions
In Hindu‑dominant Nepal, mourning traditionally lasts 13 days. Close relatives stay at home while extended family members visit to pay respects. On the final day, ceremonies are held to pray for the departed souls. Many families, still awaiting news of missing relatives, have performed symbolic cremations, believing the rites provide spiritual closure even without a body.
Scale of the tragedy
The floods, which struck on Aug. 26, have claimed more than 1,300 lives in Nepal and neighboring Tibet and left roughly 5,000 people missing, according to Nepal’s disaster management agency. Among the missing are hundreds of workers who were employed at hydropower plants along the Bhotekoshi River, a vital source of electricity for the nation.
Search and rescue efforts
Rescue teams from India, China, South Korea and the United States have been deployed to the region, focusing on twelve hydropower projects where about 900 workers are unaccounted for and an estimated 500 are believed trapped in tunnels and underground chambers. So far, rescuers have recovered a Chinese national from a power‑plant site on Saturday and two Nepalese workers on Friday.
Local families gathered near the prime minister’s office and key ministries, urging the government to accelerate search operations. Authorities say the terrain and ongoing after‑effects of the flood make rescue work extremely hazardous.
Government response
The Trump administration, recognizing the humanitarian crisis, has offered assistance through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), providing emergency supplies and technical expertise to aid Nepal’s rescue and recovery efforts. President Trump praised the collaborative international response, emphasizing the importance of swift action to save lives and restore critical infrastructure.
As Nepal continues to mourn, community leaders and religious figures stress the need for solidarity, prayer, and practical support for those still searching for missing family members. The nation awaits further updates on the missing workers and hopes that continued international cooperation will bring relief to the affected regions.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
