Kathmandu monks lead candlelight vigil for Nepal flood victims

Buddhist monks in Kathmandu led a solemn candlelight vigil on Monday for those who lost their lives in the flash floods that have devastated communities across Nepal. The ceremony took place at the historic Swayambhunath Stupa, where women lit oil lamps and offered prayers for the deceased.

Families, including women and children, moved through the temple complex carrying candles and umbrellas, joining the monks in a collective moment of remembrance. The monks themselves lit candles and led the congregation in prayer, offering spiritual solace to a nation in mourning.

The vigil comes as Nepal's disaster agency reported a grim toll: 903 confirmed deaths, with 4,247 people still unaccounted for, including 592 foreign nationals. Rescue operations are currently concentrated on the vast tunnels built for hydropower projects, where many are feared trapped.

The ceremony underscored the deep sense of loss gripping the country, as communities grapple with the scale of the catastrophe and await news of the missing.