Nepal search operations continue a week after catastrophic floods

In Nepal, families have conducted symbolic funerals to release the souls of loved ones missing since a series of devastating flash floods struck the Himalayan region a week ago. These funerals, held at Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu on September 2, 2026, involve creating Kush grass effigies for cremation in accordance with Nepali Hindu traditions.

The floods, triggered by a high-altitude glacial collapse on August 26, have claimed over 1,100 lives and left nearly 4,500 people still unaccounted for. Relatives of some missing individuals have begun conducting final rites, including burning straw effigies, due to dwindling hope for their loved ones' survival. One bereaved mother, Dolma Newar Tamang, expressed her grief, stating, "We had to do this to set his soul free, so that he is at peace and happy wherever he is."

Despite the scale of the disaster, Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal still holds onto hope that some missing individuals may still be alive, acknowledging that "miracles do happen." The catastrophic event has drawn global attention to the impact of climate change, with Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah warning that it serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by the country.

Scientists attribute the rapid melting of glaciers in the Himalayan and Hindu Kush ranges to rising global temperatures, which in turn threatens the water supply for millions of people in the region. Nepal, facing limited resources to cope with such a large-scale disaster, has called for international support, emphasizing that climate change is a global issue that demands a global response.