Nepal Ends Mourning for Flood Victims as Rescue Efforts Continue

Nepal marked the final day of a 13-day Hindu mourning period on Monday, following a devastating flash flood that resulted in at least 1,287 fatalities and left more than 5,000 individuals unaccounted for. The flood, triggered by a glacial collapse, occurred roughly two weeks ago in a Himalayan valley along the Nepal-Tibet border, obliterating villages and communities.

Ram Chandra Paudel, Nepal's president, visited affected areas, while Raja Ram Basnet, an army spokesperson, confirmed ongoing rescue operations. Efforts are particularly focused on tunnels linked to hydropower stations, where many workers are missing.

Arnold Dix, an Australian tunnel rescue expert, is advising Nepali teams on the complex rescue operations. Recently, four individuals have been rescued, including a 64-year-old woman found alive in her partially buried home in Nuwakot district.

The home ministry announced that national flags were flown at half-mast to honor the victims, although formal commemorations were limited due to active rescue efforts.