rains

Spain's weather agency on Thursday issued its highest alert for heavy rains in Alicante in the eastern region of Valencia, where deadly floods struck last year, warning of "extraordinary danger".

Rare flowers spring up in Chilean desert after freak rains.

But further east, heavy rains could continue through Tuesday, though the strongest storms are forecast Thursday through Saturday, according to the weather service.

Neighbouring Nepal, to the south of Tibet, has also been battered by torrential rains, triggering severe flooding and landslides that have killed more than 50 people.

Each year, festival-goers gather around sacred rivers and lakes to thank their creators for the greenery that the rains have brought.