Key Takeaways:

• September 7 declared national mourning day; flags at half-mast nationwide and abroad
• Families of rescuers killed in Bhotekoshi flood operations to receive Rs 1M each
• Cabinet accepted $5M ADB grant for rescue and relief efforts
• Relief, tax concessions and recovery plan approved for flood-hit businesses

KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER The government has declared September 7 a National Day of Mourning in honour of those who lost their lives in the Bhotekoshi River flood in Rasuwa, while September 8 will be observed as a public holiday on Gen-Z Martyrs' Day. The decisions were taken at a Cabinet meeting held at Singha Durbar, government spokesperson and Education and Sports Minister Sasmit Pokharel said. On the mourning day, the national flag will be flown at half-mast at government offices across Nepal and at embassies and missions abroad. The government also decided to provide risk allowances and meal expenses to security personnel and civil servants involved in search and rescue operations. Those injured will receive free treatment, while families of personnel who die during operations will receive Rs 1 million per deceased person, Pokharel said. The Cabinet accepted a $5 million grant from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for rescue and relief of flood-affected communities. It also approved relief measures, tax and customs concessions and an integrated business recovery plan to help individuals, industries and businesses resume operations. In another decision, the government authorised Salt Trading Corporation and Food Management and Trading Company to import 25,000 metric tonnes of sugar at 1% customs duty. The Cabinet also promoted Narayan Prasad Bhatt to secretary in the gazetted special class of the Nepal Administration Service and appointed him chief secretary of the Koshi Province Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers.