Nepal mourns flood victims as families cling to hope for the missing

Kathmandu, Nepal observed a national day of mourning on Monday to honor victims of devastating glacial floods. The disaster, which occurred on August 26 at the China-Nepal border, claimed at least 1,398 lives, with over 5,500 individuals still missing, including a significant number of foreign nationals. Buddhist monks conducted a 13th-day ritual at a flood-damaged house in Dhunge, Nuwakot, while families of the missing prayed for their loved ones' safe return.

Flags flew at half-mast, and candlelight vigils were planned to observe traditional Hindu mourning rituals.

Hundreds of hydropower workers are among the missing, but three have been rescued from deep within tunnels - two Nepalis on Friday and a Chinese man on Saturday. Nepal Army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet stated that rescue efforts continued with the same intensity as the first day, focusing on three levels: on the ground, by air, and within the tunnels. The hope remains that more survivors might still be found.

Families of the missing workers gathered in Kathmandu, expressing hope but questioning the government's response. Reena Amatya Shrestha, whose brother is among the missing, emphasized that while they have faith in the rescue efforts, they seek concrete results. Arnold Dix, an Australian tunnel rescue expert advising Nepali teams, described the situation as unprecedented, noting that multiple rescue operations are underway simultaneously, each presenting its own dangers and uncertainties.

Foreign experts from China, India, and South Korea are aiding the Nepali teams in the rescue efforts. Dix emphasized that the international community is measured not only by the lives saved but also by those not abandoned. The disaster, caused by the glacial collapse, has overwhelmed mortuaries, leading to mass burials and DNA sampling for future identification. Only around 100 bodies have been identified and returned to families.

The economic impact of the disaster is severe, with reconstruction costs estimated at billions of dollars. Nepal, a rural nation of 30 million people, has contributed little to global greenhouse gas emissions, yet bears the burden of such disasters. The government faces immense challenges in rebuilding communities and critical infrastructure, particularly as the disaster coincides with the anniversary of last year's anti-corruption protests.

The United Nations has appealed for US$50 million to aid over 84,000 people affected by the floods, estimating total losses to exceed US$158 million.