Nepal, Sept. 28 -- It's nearly October. This month marks the end of the monsoon season in Nepal. The skies clear, and snow-capped mountains welcome tourists. But things are different this year. The Bhotekoshi flash flood that struck the Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts last month has sent shockwaves globally. More than 1,500 people died, and over 5,000 remain missing, including as many as 795 tourists (607 of whom were foreigners). As a result, major tourist destinations across Nepal that would otherwise have bustled with visitors have remained largely quiet.

The tourism industry accounts for nearly 6.7 percent of Nepal's gross output, directly and indirectly, and creates job opportunities for more than 1 million people. Disruptions in touri...