Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal is observing a National Day of Mourning on Monday to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the devastating Bhotekoshi floods of August 26.
A cabinet meeting held on Thursday declared September 7 a National Day of Mourning in honor of the victims of the disaster, which caused extensive damage and loss of life in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and other areas along the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli corridor.
The national flag would be flown at half-mast at government offices across the country as well as at Nepali embassies and diplomatic missions abroad.
The catastrophic floods caused widespread destruction, sweeping away homes, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure and leaving thousands of people dead or missing. According to the latest government figures, at least 1,342 people have been confirmed dead, while around 4,196 remain missing. More than 13,000 people have been rescued so far.
Preliminary studies suggest the August 26 disaster was triggered by a massive release of water and debris in the Bhotekoshi river system following a rock-ice avalanche on the northern slopes of Mt Langtang Lirung.
