Hong Kong's Nepalis Hold Prayers on 13th Day of Flood Mourning
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Hundreds of Nepalis in Hong Kong gathered on Monday at a community hall in Yau Ma Tei to mark the final day of the traditional 13-day Hindu mourning period for victims of the devastating flash flood disaster that struck Nepal, Tibet and China on August 26 . The ceremony coincided with Nepal's national day of mourning on September 7, bringing together community members who lit electric candles, laid flowers and left messages of condolence to honour the dead . The acting consul general for Nepal in Hong Kong, Satish Gurung, addressed the crowd and confirmed the disaster has claimed 1,355 lives with 4,996 people still missing .
Key Points
- The mourning ceremony took place at a community hall in Yau Ma Tei, with the programme lasting approximately one hour
- Acting Consul General Satish Gurung attributed the disaster partly to "global warming in the mountains" and called for climate justice alongside traditional aid
- About half a dozen participants had families directly affected by the floods in Nepal, and they received counselling from the Hong Kong Red Cross
- Amar Tamang, a 42-year-old Nepali who has lived in Hong Kong for seven years, spoke emotionally about his 75-year-old grandmother in Trishuli Bazaar, whose home was flooded and buried in mud
- Yau Tsim Mong district councillor Aruna Gurung explained that the programme marked the conclusion of the traditional 13-day Hindu mourning period observed in Nepal
Why It Matters
The gathering highlights the significant Nepali community in Hong Kong and their deep connections to their homeland during times of crisis . The consul's call for climate justice reflects growing international concern that developing nations bear the heaviest burden of climate change despite contributing least to global emissions . The event also demonstrates how Hong Kong's diverse communities maintain cultural and religious traditions while seeking support from local institutions like the Red Cross during national emergencies.
The gathering highlights the significant Nepali community in Hong Kong and their deep connections to their homeland during times of crisis . The consul's call for climate justice reflects growing international concern that developing nations bear the heaviest burden of climate change despite contributing least to global emissions . The event also demonstrates how Hong Kong's diverse communities maintain cultural and religious traditions while seeking support from local institutions like the Red Cross during national emergencies.