Nepal to preserve DNA of unidentified flood victims before burial: PM Balendra

Nepal will preserve DNA samples and other identifying evidence from bodies that cannot be identified before burying or otherwise managing them, Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah said today (29 August).

In a statement posted on social media this evening, Shah said only unidentified bodies would be handled by the government, while those identified by their families were being handed over to relatives, reports The Kathmandu Post

"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 said, urging the public not to be misled about the government's handling of the dead.

Shah said 675 bodies had been recovered so far from Rasuwa, Dhading, Nuwakot, Chitwan, Tanahun, Gorkha, Nawalparasi East and Nawalparasi West.

The recovered bodies are being placed in airtight bags and managed under the Unidentified and Unclaimed Bodies Management (First Amendment) Directive, 2026, he said.

A devastating flood that struck the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa on 26 August caused extensive loss of life and damage to property and infrastructure along the river corridor, including in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading.

Shah said the government had intensified search, rescue, treatment, relief and communications restoration operations immediately after the disaster.

The response is being carried out in coordination with federal, provincial and local authorities, with government agencies working at full capacity to protect affected people, he said.

"Saving the lives of every affected citizen remains the government's first priority," Shah said.

He said the government would remain alongside affected communities and continue rescue and rehabilitation efforts until tangible results are achieved.