India assists families in identifying flood victims in Nepal.

Embassy issues step-by-step guide amid mass burials.

The devastating floods near Nepal’s border with Tibet have claimed over 1,000 lives, with nearly 4,000 individuals still missing as rescue operations continue into their seventh day. Among those unaccounted for are 275 Indian nationals and 128 people of Indian origin, many of whom were pilgrims on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

Nepalese authorities, overwhelmed by the rising death toll, face mounting challenges in identifying and storing the bodies. Morgues have exceeded capacity, and with bodies continuing to surface, the government has resorted to releasing photographs and descriptions online to help families recognize their loved ones.

To support Indian families, the Indian Embassy in Nepal has issued a detailed guide outlining the identification and repatriation process. Families can access the Nepal government’s database of photographs and descriptions. Once a body is identified, the embassy coordinates with local officials to facilitate documentation, post-mortem verification, forensic sampling, and eventual handover of remains.

The nine-step procedure includes:

• Recording photographs and details of remains
• Conducting post-mortem examinations
• Verifying cause of death
• Establishing identification formally
• Collecting fingerprints, DNA, or forensic samples
• Confirming passport or ID of the deceased
• Coordinating with embassy or consular staff
• Completing handover documentation and receipts

Due to health risks, Nepal has temporarily interred many unidentified bodies after collecting DNA samples. Families of missing persons are encouraged to provide DNA profiles or blood samples for comparison. Relatives can send DNA data to the Nepal Police at dnacodis@nepalpolice.gov.np or share it with the Indian Embassy at eoikathmandufloodsupport@gmail.com.

For assistance, the Nepal Police helpline is available at +977 9841616095, while the Indian Embassy can be reached via WhatsApp at +977 9851316807, +977 9709107500, and +977 9810326117.

Meanwhile, Nepal has begun mass burials of unidentified victims. Each body is tagged, wrapped, and placed in shallow graves after DNA collection. Authorities hope that families will eventually be able to reclaim the remains through DNA matching, ensuring proper funeral rites for the deceased.

This joint effort underscores the urgency of cross-border cooperation in the face of one of the region’s deadliest natural disasters, as both nations strive to bring closure to grieving families.