Nepal: Indian forensic team begins DNA analysis to identify flash flood victims

Kathmandu, Sep 1 (IANS) A 19-member Indian forensic team has begun analysing DNA samples in coordination with Nepali forensic experts to help identify people affected by the recent flash floods in Nepal, the Indian Embassy said on Tuesday.

The Indian team started the analysis at the Nepal Police Central Forensic Science Laboratory and the National Forensic Science Laboratory in Khumaltar area of Kathmandu Valley.

The team is working alongside its Nepali counterparts to expedite the processing of DNA samples collected from flood-affected areas and facilitate the identification of victims and missing persons, according to the Embassy.

“The deployment of the Indian forensic team is part of ongoing efforts to support Nepal in the aftermath of the recent flash floods, which caused significant loss of life and left several people unaccounted for,” the Embassy said.

According to Nepal Police, the bodies of 1,068 people have been recovered by Tuesday evening. Of these, 400 bodies had only partial remains, making identification difficult.

As the death toll continues to rise following last week’s deadly floods, several bodies have remained unclaimed, prompting authorities to collect DNA samples for possible identification in the future.

In Chitwan district, where the largest number of bodies have been recovered so far, authorities have buried hundreds of bodies in open spaces along riverbanks after collecting DNA samples for future identification.

According to Nepal Police, as many as 4,606 people remain unaccounted for, including 583 foreigners, suggesting that the death toll could rise further.

Nepali authorities said efforts are underway to locate people who remain unaccounted for at various hydropower projects along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river corridors in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts.

At the request of the Nepali government, India and China have sent technical teams to assist in search and rescue operations inside hydropower tunnels.

Meanwhile, Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah said in a Facebook post on Tuesday that the bodies of people who lost their lives in the floods and those who remain unidentified are being managed in accordance with the law and through scientific procedures.

“The government is managing only those bodies that are found in an unidentifiable condition, while preserving DNA samples and other evidence that could assist in their identification,” he said. “The bodies are being managed with the assistance of the Nepali Army, Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force, Nepal. Identified bodies are being handed over to their families.”

–IANS

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