Nepal marks national mourning day after deadly flood

KATHMANDU — Nepalis observed the final day of traditional Hindu mourning on Monday for the numerous victims of a devastating flood that struck the nation's China border region. Despite the ongoing search efforts following four miraculous rescues in recent days, government buildings across the predominantly Hindu country and embassies overseas lowered the national flag to half-mast to commemorate the 13th day since the tragedy.

According to the home ministry, this day marks the end of the mourning period, during which the faithful pay their respects through rituals and food offerings.

A massive wall of mud and rock, caused by a glacier breaking off, tumbled into a river along Nepal and China's Tibet border on August 26. The cataclysmic event obliterated towns and villages, burying roads and highways under tons of mud and debris. The flood has claimed the lives of at least 1,380 individuals and left over 5,500 people missing.

In the aftermath, search teams in Nepal have managed to rescue four individuals, including a Chinese citizen pulled from a tunnel on Saturday. The other rescues involved two hydropower workers.