Kathmandu, Sept, 7: Nepal is observing a national day of mourning today to honor the victims of the catastrophic flash floods and landslides that struck the Bhotekoshi River basin in Rasuwa on August 26.
Following a Cabinet decision on September 3, government offices across the country and Nepali embassies worldwide are flying the national flag at half-mast in tribute.
The disaster has resulted in a staggering loss of life and property.
Police report that 1,355 bodies have been recovered thus far, while 3,992 individuals remain missing. Among the identified deceased are 530 men and 328 women, alongside 495 bodies that are difficult to identify. The missing include 3,394 locals and 506 foreign nationals.
Emergency responders, including the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police, continue active search and rescue operations. To date, 9,159 people have been rescued, with 3,190 currently sheltered in a designated holding center.
Authorities have prioritized DNA profiling to identify the remaining victims, having collected samples from 2,376 individuals, including 1,181 of the deceased and 1,195 family members. Out of the total recovered bodies, 1,444 have been safely managed and buried as recovery and identification efforts persist.
