KUALA LUMPUR – Nepal will preserve DNA samples and other identifying evidence from the bodies of the Aug 26 floods that cannot be identified before taking steps to bury or otherwise manage them, the country’s English-language daily reported.
The flooding of the Bhotekoshi River five days ago had caused extensive loss of life and widespread damage to property and infrastructure along the river corridor, particularly in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading.
Citing a statement by Prime Minister Balendra Shah posted on social media on Saturday evening, The Kathmandu Post reported that only unidentified bodies would be handled by the government, while those identified by their families were being handed over to relatives.
“Only bodies that cannot be identified will be managed by the government after preserving DNA and other evidence that could help establish their identity,” he reportedly said.
According to the leader, 675 bodies had been recovered so far from different locations in Rasuwa, Dhading, Nuwakot, Chitwan, Tanahun, Gorkha, Nawalparasi East and Nawalparasi West.
The full report can be accessed at https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/08/29/nepal-will-preserve-dna-before-burial-of-unidentified-flood-victims-pm-says. – BERNAMA
