A 97-year-old woman has been successfully rescued from flood debris in Nepal following devastating flash floods that have claimed hundreds of lives. Guna Maya Bohara is currently recovering in hospital, with doctors reporting her condition as stable.

The powerful flash floods, which struck the Himalayan nation, are believed to have been triggered by a glacier collapsing in the border region with Tibet. The disaster has caused widespread destruction and a significant loss of life, with hundreds confirmed dead.

Bohara was reportedly trapped in the rubble of her care home. The complex rescue operation to free her took approximately four hours. Her great-nephew, Dipak Bohara, who travelled from Kathmandu to assist, told BBC Nepali that his great-aunt appeared "like a warrior who had returned victorious from battle" after being pulled from the debris.

The full extent of the damage and the death toll are still being assessed as rescue efforts continue. Scientists are investigating the precise cause of the glacier collapse, with initial reports pointing to a significant event in the Himalayan border region.

This incident highlights the vulnerability of communities in mountainous regions to climate-related disasters. Experts have long warned about the increased risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and other flash floods in the Himalayas due to warming temperatures.

The rescue of Guna Maya Bohara, despite her advanced age and the perilous circumstances, has become a symbol of resilience amidst the tragedy. Her family's efforts to reach her and the successful extraction underscore the determination of those involved in the rescue operations.

Further details regarding the recovery process for Bohara and the ongoing relief efforts for the wider affected population are expected to be released by authorities. Investigations into the environmental factors leading to the glacier collapse are also underway.

The disaster serves as a stark reminder of the need for improved disaster preparedness and response mechanisms in regions susceptible to extreme weather events, particularly in light of climate change.