At the Pashupatinath temple on the banks of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, families have gathered to perform last rites for loved ones lost in the deadly flood. With bodies unrecovered, relatives have used symbolic effigies made from sacred "kusha" grass, in accordance with Hindu tradition.
Among them was Madan Lal Lawat, who lost five relatives including his brother Mangal. Lawat survived because he was driving his bus outside his village, Betrawati. He was told that Mangal died while going door-to-door trying to warn others to leave.
"I don't know how to start over," Lawat said. "Police say they're still searching for the bodies, but I'm not sure they'll ever be found."
Under Nepali law, a missing person is only presumed dead after 12 years. For families, this means no death certificate, no ability to settle estates or access insurance, and no closure. With more than 5,000 people still missing and government rescue operations concluded, many face an agonising wait for legal resolution.