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Candles, prayer flags and flowers were laid out on Sunday in Surrey, B.C., where scores of people turned out to a vigil for the victims of the deadly flooding in Nepal.
At least 900 people were killed and about 4,700 people are missing in Nepal and China combined following the catastrophic Aug. 26 flash flood that struck Nepal’s Timure region.
Among them are 31 Canadian citizens and permanent residents, including at least four known to be from British Columbia.
Over the weekend, federal officials said one Canadian who had been unaccounted for was located safely.
WATCH | Surrey vigil honours victims of Nepal flooding:
Candlelight vigil held in Surrey, B.C., for Nepal flood victims
Hindu Buddhist Foundation of Canada president Amakant Subedi said it was important for the community to come together to pray and support one another.
“That is a big humanitarian loss,” he said.
“Even those people are losing their properties, and we just going to pray for the bodies and [people] who lost their life.”
Sunita Ghimire was among those who came out to light a candle.
“We can’t be there with them, but our heart and our mind, our soul is still there,” she said.
WATCH | B.C. Teej festival organizers send funds to Nepal:
Teej festivals cancelled across B.C., money redirected to Nepal disaster relief
British Columbia’s Nepali community has been rallying in the wake of the disaster.
“We are together with them, and at the same time, we are also working together,” said Madhu Acharya, founding president of the Hindu Buddhist Foundation temple where the vigil was held.
“We are collecting some donations with whatever our capacity is.”
The Hindu Buddhist Foundation of Canada has raised about $10,000 so far for urgent aid to the flood stricken region.
Earlier this weekend, the Nepali Canadian Women’s Society of B.C. cancelled its upcoming Teej celebration, directing about $15,000 in ticket sales and donations to disaster relief instead.
The Canadian government has pledged $5 million for emergency relief efforts in Nepal.
Scientists believe the flood was the result of a glacial collapse, which formed a temporary, high-altitude lake that burst and sent a catastrophic wave of water and debris down on the valleys below.