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Even on the sixth day since the Koshi-Trishuli floods, the search for bodies swept away and buried in silt continues, yet officials report that very few of the recovered bodies have been identified.
Health Ministry data indicates that just over four percent of the recovered bodies have been identified.
“As per the latest data, out of 796 bodies recovered so far, only about 37 have been identified,” said Dr. Sameer Kumar Adhikari, the Ministry’s deputy spokesperson, presenting figures as of Sunday evening.
By Monday afternoon, the death toll has exceeded 900.
“Bodies that are intact and identifiable have already been taken by relatives. We continue to manage the others. Those that cannot be stored are being respectfully laid to rest in the ground for now,” he added.
The highest number of bodies have been found in Chitwan. According to the District Administration Office, as of Monday afternoon, 272 bodies have been recovered there, of which only 12 have been identified.
“As decomposition increased, difficulties mounting in storage and identification, the government has initiated temporary body management in Chitwan and other districts,” the office reported.
“This process began in Nawalparasi as of Sunday. Forensic teams have also started working in Dhadhing, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, and at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu,” said Dr. Adhikari. “The next phase of this process will follow soon.”
“Cannot Be Identified By Sight”
Image Source, Nepal Photo Library
Officials explained that while some intact bodies were found during the first or second day after the flood, increasingly only decomposed bodies have been recovered over time. Therefore, DNA sampling has been concluded as the only feasible method for identification.
“Currently, there are approximately 260 bodies in such a condition that even identifying their gender is impossible,” Dr. Adhikari stated.
According to Dr. Gopal Chaudhary, Head of Forensic Medicine at Tribhuvan Teaching Hospital, 94 bodies have arrived at the hospital since the floods, of which only nine have been identified by relatives.
“Those identified were taken in the early days; the rest are decomposed or severely damaged,” he said.
“Currently, we have 85 bodies that cannot be visually identified,” Dr. Chaudhary added.
DNA samples are being collected from these bodies.
While there have been challenges in proper body management, some people have criticized the government. However, officials emphasized that the deceased are being managed by collecting DNA samples and recording them, while being buried in a manner that allows relatives to locate them later.
“This is not a final funeral but a temporary arrangement,” Dr. Chaudhary from Tribhuvan University explained. “This is the global standard in such circumstances.”
Debate Over Management Methods
Anisha Thakuri’s brother, a conductor on the Araniko passenger bus, has been uncontactable since Wednesday from Rasuwa, the day of the flood.
Since then, Anisha and her family members have been scrutinizing photos of bodies released by various hospitals, hoping to find some indication of their missing relatives.
“A body reportedly found in Gorkha appears to resemble my brother’s face, so my brothers left for Pokhara early Monday morning. We received word they matched his fingernails and other features,” she said. “We want the identification process to be completed before the government lays the body to rest, so we can conduct the final rites ourselves.”
“My brother said the doctors collected various samples from the body, but we are uncertain when the report will arrive. Even if he is no longer breathing, it would be a relief to find his body,” she added.
Robin Lama from Matlang, Amachodinmo Rural Municipality-3, Rasuwa, is also visiting hospitals seeking signs of his missing relatives. Twenty-five people from his village remain uncontacted, including four of his family members, such as a son-in-law, niece, and nephew.
However, Lama supports the government’s decision and has no objections.
“Laying the bodies this way is appropriate to avoid further problems from decomposed remains. When the situation improves, the government should invite relatives to provide DNA samples for identification,” he said.
The Nepal Police issued a notice today stating that Nepalese and foreigners in Nepal who want to identify bodies or body parts affected by the floods in the Koshi River, and whose relatives remain missing, should contact police to provide DNA samples from the closest biological relatives—father, mother, son, or daughter.
“Those living abroad are requested to send a soft copy of the DNA profile of one closest biological relative (father, mother, son, or daughter) via official email dnacodis@nepalpolice.gov.np for comparison,” the notice stated.
Challenges in Sample Management
Image Source, BBC/Ishwor Joshi
Officials acknowledge increasing pressure due to limited resources to collect samples from the bodies.
Additionally, the simultaneous need to collect and manage DNA samples for a large number of bodies has led the government to seek foreign assistance.
“We have requested essential non-food supplies such as freezers, LiDAR equipment, and DNA testing kits from the United States, along with specialized materials for Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) from Singapore,” said Lok Bahadur Paudel Kshetri, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Monday.
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal also informed journalists on Saturday that Nepal has limited forensic facilities and is expecting international assistance for body identification.
Officials noted that forensic specialists from India arrived in Nepal on Sunday.
“I’ve been informed that 13 DNA forensic experts have come to Nepal and started working, coordinating with Nepal Police,” said Dr. Adhikari.
Nepal Police central spokesperson Avi Narayan Kafle stated that preparations are underway to operate a new forensic laboratory in Hetauda.
“There are currently two forensic laboratories, a central one and one run by the police. While DNA work is done at both, police are responsible for record-keeping,” he explained. “Additional experts, laboratories, and required materials are needed to streamline the process.”
He added that photographs and fingerprints of all recovered bodies are being collected to document cases, after which body management operations have begun.
“Before burial, bodies undergo post-mortem to collect DNA samples and are stored with indelible identification marks in airtight bags to facilitate future identification,” he noted.
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