RismadarVoice Reporters
September 2, 2026
Families in Nepal have begun holding symbolic funerals for relatives still missing after devastating flash floods swept through Himalayan communities, with the death toll now exceeding 1,100 and nearly 4,500 people unaccounted for.
The disaster, triggered by a glacial collapse on August 26, sent a massive wall of water, rocks and debris through villages along the China-Nepal border, leaving widespread destruction in its wake.
With hopes of finding some missing relatives fading, families have turned to traditional Hindu funeral rites, including burning straw effigies to symbolically set their loved ones’ souls free.
“We had to do this to set his soul free, so that he is at peace and happy wherever he is,” said Dolma Newar Tamang, whose husband remains missing.
Meanwhile, rescue teams continue to search through thick mud and debris, including tunnels at hydropower facilities where several workers are believed to be trapped.
Nepal reported 1,114 deaths and 3,916 missing people by Wednesday, while China reported 16 deaths and 546 missing, bringing the combined toll to 1,130 dead and 4,462 missing.
