Nepal marked a national day of mourning on Monday, observing the final day of a traditional 13-day Hindu mourning period for the victims of a devastating flash flood. The commemorations, which included candlelight vigils, were subdued as rescue teams continued their efforts to find survivors.
At least 1,287 people have died following the flash flood, which is believed to have been caused by a glacial collapse. The disaster swept through villages in a Himalayan valley that straddles the border between Nepal and Tibet, leaving more than 5,000 people still missing nearly two weeks after the event.
Phanindra Paudel of the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) stated that no government programs were organized due to the ongoing rescue and search operations in the affected areas. The nation's president, Ram Chandra Paudel, visited the flood-devastated regions on Monday. Government offices and diplomatic missions abroad flew the national flag at half-mast throughout the day to honor the victims.
