Nepal observes national mourning as Rasuwa floods death toll exceeds 1,340

The Nepalese government designated September 7 as a day of national mourning to honour those who perished in the flash floods that swept through the Rasuwa district and adjoining regions on August 26. The disaster, which unfolded along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems, claimed lives across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and surrounding areas in northern and central Nepal.

The timing of Monday's observance carries particular significance in Hindu tradition, marking the thirteenth day following the tragedy—a period traditionally observed in many Hindu communities as spiritually important following a death. The floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche in the high Himalayan mountains bordering China, unleashed devastating destruction across a wide geographical area.

The scale of the disaster continues to mount as search and rescue operations proceed. Nearly 5,000 people remain missing in the aftermath of the floods, including 589 foreign nationals who were caught in the disaster. The extensive loss of life has been accompanied by severe damage to critical infrastructure throughout the affected regions, compounding the humanitarian crisis facing communities across northern and central Nepal.