Kathmandu – Nepal is observing national mourning on Monday, September 7, in honour of those who lost their lives in the devastating flood in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa.
The government decided to observe the national mourning during a Cabinet meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar on September 3.
As part of the mourning, the national flag is being flown at half-mast at government offices across Nepal, as well as at Nepali embassies and diplomatic missions abroad.
According to Nepal Police Headquarters, 1,342 bodies had been recovered as of Sunday evening, while 3,992 people were still reported out of contact following the flood.
Security agencies have continued search, rescue and body-management operations across affected areas. Police said 1,044 recovered bodies have already been safely buried, while identification and management of the remaining bodies are continuing.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, a total of 13,399 people have been rescued from flood-affected districts so far.
Thousands of personnel from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have been mobilised despite difficult terrain, damaged roads and dangerous river conditions.
A total of 21,465 security personnel have been deployed for search, rescue and relief operations.
The Nepal Army has conducted 1,045 flights using aerial resources, while private-sector aircraft have carried out another 129 flights to support rescue and relief activities.
Authorities have also established holding centres in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading to provide temporary accommodation and immediate assistance to rescued residents. Around 3,912 people are currently staying at these centres.
Health services have also been intensified, with 6,073 injured and affected people receiving medical assistance so far.
Authorities are prioritising DNA testing to identify recovered bodies and help trace missing people. Police said DNA samples have been collected from 1,181 deceased individuals and 1,195 relatives, bringing the total number of samples collected to 2,376.
Teams from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and other government agencies remain deployed in affected areas as search, rescue, relief and identification efforts continue.
