Kathmandu: The death toll due to devastating flash floods in Nepal surged to 1,259 on Thursday, with over 5,000 still missing. The flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal, leaving a trail of destruction.According to the data released by Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the death toll from the Bhotekoshi River floods surged to 1,259 on Thursday, with 5,083 still missing.Also Read: Hopes of finding survivors dim a week after catastrophic Nepal floodIn Paharebesi village of Rasuwa district, residents have begun preparing to perform funeral rites for missing relatives after receiving no information about their whereabouts for eight days, Onlinekhabar news portal reported on Thursday.In flood-hit areas, families have begun using effigies made of kusha grass to perform the final rites of relatives who remain untraced, amid diminishing hopes of finding them alive, The Kathmandu Post newspaper reported.Meanwhile, Nepal foreign minister Shisir Khanal on Thursday called the massive floods that caused widespread devastation in the country a "Himalayan Tsunami" and thanked neighbouring countries and the international community for their support and solidarity during this difficult period.Schoolchildren Donate pocket money to PM's Relief FundAlso Read: After Nepal floods, Centre reviews Himalayan states’ GLOF readiness Schoolchildren in Nepal are doing their bit by donating part of their pocket money to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund.Tunnel rescue operations continue under tough conditionsThe tunnel rescue team from India is working with the Nepali Army to carry out the rescue operation in Chilime Power House. Indian envoy on Thursday visited Syabrubesi, the base of the Indian tunnel rescue team, and said even though the conditions are tough, both Indian and Nepali teams will continue their work 'undeterred.'