On Monday, the 13th day of Nepal’s devastating floods, a national day of mourning was observed in the country and tributes were paid to those who lost their lives.
Following the recovery of more bodies from flood-affected areas, the death toll rose to 1,356. The fate of around 5,000 missing people, including 589 foreigners, is still unknown.
The Nepal National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said that 13,396 people have been rescued so far.
A massive glacial collapse on Aug. 26 on the Tibet-Nepal border caused a huge flood in the Bhotekoshi River, bringing devastation to Nepal’s Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Chitwan and other districts. Riverside villages and small towns were completely destroyed. So far, the bodies of 1,355 people have been recovered. The highest number of bodies, 363, were recovered in Chitwan district, which is famous for forest tourism.
Of the recovered bodies, only 98 have been identified. More than 1,000 bodies have been temporarily buried after being tagged following DNA collection. Identifying the bodies through DNA testing has emerged as a major challenge.
Search operations are continuing for around 5,000 people who went missing in the flood. A rescue team comprising more than 20,000 people, including Nepal Army personnel, is engaged in this effort. Police said sniffer dogs are playing a key role in recovering bodies.
13th-day mourning: On Monday, the 13th day of this disaster, the Nepal government observed a national day of mourning and paid tribute to those who lost their lives. Mourning was observed to mark the 13th-day ritual according to Hindu custom.
In this context, the Indian Embassy, in a post on X, said, “India stands with Nepal in this tragic moment. India will continue to support Nepal’s efforts in search, rescue, and relief operations.”
Police warning: Gold, silver, other valuable items, and cash found in flood-affected areas should be handed over to the nearest police stations; otherwise, the police have warned that strict action will be taken against those involved in hoarding or selling such items.
The President inspected in person
In Nepal, President Ramchandra Paudel on Monday personally visited and inspected the flood-affected districts of Nuwakot and Rasuwa. Officials briefed him on rescue and relief operations, distribution of relief supplies, and rehabilitation efforts. The President, who visited a relief camp in Bidur city and inspected it, also listened to the grievances of those sheltered there.
In the rescue operation
Australian expert
Expert teams from India and China, along with Nepalese troops, are involved in the effort to rescue hundreds of workers trapped in hydropower station tunnels due to the massive flood.
Australian mine rescue expert Arnold Dix, who helped India in the rescue operation that freed 41 workers trapped for more than two weeks in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand in 2023, is now assisting in Nepal’s rescue efforts.
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Social media campaign: Tourism contributes 6.7 percent to Nepal’s gross domestic product, but in the wake of the recent floods, the arrival of foreign tourists has declined significantly.
Following this, Tourism Minister Badri Raj Poudel has launched a social media campaign to attract foreign tourists under the name “Nepal is Calling.” In the video post, he noted, “Nepal’s doors are open; our Himalayan trails are waiting for the arrival of tourists.”