Govt asks grieving families for DNA samples

Kathmandu, Sept. 1

The government said that the immediate family members of those missing in the devastating Bhotekoshi floods are requested to contact Nepal Police Hospital, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu or nearest District Police Office across the country to send the DNA profiles in order to match with the missing ones.

In the case of those residing abroad, the immediate family members can have their DNA profiles prepared in the country of residence and send it to the Nepal Police.

"The DNA profile is requested to be sent to the official email of the Nepal Police, dnacodis@nepalpolice.gov.np. We have officially communicated this information to the relevant countries through diplomatic channels," Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Lok Bahadur Poudel Chhetri informed at a press meet on Tuesday.

As the number of dead bodies and mortal remains kept on growing amidst the lack of preserving facilities, the government had decided to bury them with identification number following the international protocol with a possibility to exhume them when needed.

The floods claimed 1,010 lives and left around 4,000 people still unaccounted for, as of Tuesday afternoon.

Where remains cannot be immediately identified or safely preserved, temporary burial has been carried out after the necessary forensic procedures, including the collection of DNA samples.

According to Chhetri, the process is designed to facilitate identification at a later stage and enable families to receive the mortal remains of their loved ones for final rites once identification is established.

"In view of the difficult circumstances and the increasing number of recovered mortal remains, the concerned authorities are following established protocols for their management and identification," said Chhetri.  

 

21,000 security personnel mobilised

On the seventh day since the catastrophic floods, a unified force of more than 21,000 personnel from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force is engaged in search, rescue, evacuation and relief operations across the affected areas. The devastating floods swept away settlements, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.

At the same time, the government continues to coordinate closely with the immediate neighbours and the wider international community to identify and mobilise specific expertise, equipment and resources required for the ongoing rescue and relief operations.

Specialised tunnel rescue teams from India and China are mobilised at the affected hydropower sites. A team from Republic of Korea has also arrived. According to Chhetri, the Indian tunnel rescue teams are working closely with the Nepali Army at the Chilime and Langtang hydropower sites, while a Chinese team is working in coordination with the Nepali Army at the Upper Trishuli 3A project site.

"We have also received specialised equipment for the management and preservation of mortal remains. A 19-member forensic team from India specialising in DNA analysis continues to work with the concerned Nepali authorities since 29 August. A forensic team of 4 people is arriving from China this evening," said Chhetri.

Meanwhile, coordination is also underway to mobilise a Disaster Victim Identification team from Singapore. The government has also requested for the supply of LiDAR, belly bridges, freezers, DNA testing kits, load carriers, bags for human remains, high-capacity drones, gene sequencer and other items.  

Likewise, the government informed that the scale and extent of the damage caused by the disaster are becoming clear as access has improved and more details are now available.

The scale of damage is currently being assessed by the concerned authorities, including the damage to houses, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other critical infrastructure.

Chhetri reiterated that given the magnitude of the destruction, Nepal anticipates requiring substantial international support during the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase. The government will communicate specific requirements through established official channels.

Published in The Rising Nepal on 2 September 2026.