Nepal families hold symbolic funerals as flood missing near 4,500

Nepali families are holding symbolic funeral ceremonies to free the souls of loved ones missing since deadly flash floods swept away their villages and homes near the border of China and Nepal a week ago. Emergency teams have recovered over 1,000 bodies, and nearly 4,500 people are still missing. Relatives of some missing individuals have begun conducting last rites, expressing their hope that the souls of their loved ones are at peace.

Dolma Newar Tamang, mourning the loss of her husband, said, "We had to do this to set his soul free, so that he is at peace and happy wherever he is." Rescuers remain hopeful about finding survivors, especially in multiple tunnels of hydropower plants across the region, as they continue to dig, drill, and blast through debris in search of survivors.

Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal expressed his hope that some of the thousands missing could still be alive, emphasizing that "miracles do happen." Prime Minister Balendra Shah stated that the catastrophe highlights the increasing risks in the Himalayan region due to climate change, attributing it to global responsibility.

Scientists warn that the Himalayas are warming rapidly, accelerating glacier melt, and providing crucial water sources for millions of people across the mountainous and river valleys below. Nepal's economy is facing pressure due to the disaster, with limited resources to respond effectively. The scale of destruction has led to global concerns, with Nepali authorities warning that reconstruction costs could run into the billions of dollars.