A candle-lighting ceremony was held at the Nepal Tourism Board on Monday evening to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers and to pray for the safe rescue and well-being of those who remain missing.
The ceremony was held in the presence of Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Paudel “Ganesh.” Ministry Secretary Mukunda Prasad Niraula, Director General of the Department of Tourism Ramkrishna Lamichhane, Disaster Management Coordinator Hikmat Singh Ayer, former Nepal Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Deepak Raj Joshi, board officials, Tourist Police officers, representatives of various tourism associations and organizations, and tourism entrepreneurs participated in the event.
Participants Observe Silence and Offer Tributes
During the ceremony, participants observed a moment of silence in memory of all those who lost their lives in the floods and expressed condolences to the bereaved families. They also prayed for eternal peace for the deceased. Candles were lit with prayers for the successful continuation of search and rescue operations and the safe recovery of Nepali and foreign nationals who are still missing following the disaster.
Devastating Flood Caused Widespread Damage
The devastating flood that originated from the Nepal-China border area on August 26, 2026, caused significant human and physical losses along the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa and surrounding areas. The disaster caused extensive damage to settlements, roads, bridges, and hydropower projects in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and other affected districts. Tourists and travelers who were moving through the affected areas were also impacted by the disaster, with several people becoming stranded or losing contact with their families.
Government and Tourism Sector Join Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the floods, government agencies and private-sector organizations within Nepal’s tourism industry have been working jointly to identify the whereabouts of affected tourists, support search and rescue operations, and facilitate communication between missing or stranded individuals and their families.
Tourism-related government bodies, security agencies, tourist representatives and private-sector stakeholders have been coordinating efforts to gather information, assist affected travelers and support rescue operations in the disaster-hit areas.
The candle-lighting ceremony served as a symbolic expression of solidarity with the victims, their families, and those still awaiting news of their loved ones, while reaffirming the travel sector’s continued commitment to supporting rescue and recovery efforts.
