Kathmandu [Nepal], September 8 – Tributes were paid across Nepal on Monday to those who lost their lives in the catastrophic Bhotekoshi River floods in Rasuwa on August 26 as the government observed a national day of mourning.
On the 13th day after the disaster, the national flag was flown at half-mast at government offices across the country and at Nepali diplomatic missions abroad.
The floods caused widespread loss of life and extensive damage to homes, roads, bridges, hydropower projects and other critical infrastructure.
In Kathmandu, candlelight vigils were held at Maitighar, New Road, Basantapur and Sundhara. Similar memorial programmes were organised in several districts.
In Nawalpur, tributes were held at locations where bodies were temporarily managed including Jyotikunja Community Forest in Kawasoti where 105 bodies were kept and Dibya Buffer Zone Community Forest in Devchuli where 55 bodies were managed.
In Hetauda, seven political parties organised a condolence programme while religious ceremonies and candlelight vigils were held at other locations.
In Gorkha, a mass condolence ceremony was organised in Palungtar for victims from the area. Photographs of 30 people who died or remain missing were displayed.
The 30 were among 36 people travelling to Gosainkunda in a minibus when it was swept away by the flood. Six passengers survived after jumping from the vehicle while 30 remain missing.
Across the country candlelight vigils, prayers and religious ceremonies reflected widespread grief over the disaster.
