Nepal has launched a DNA identification drive to help identify victims of the devastating floods and landslides that have swept through several parts of the country. The initiative is aimed at providing answers to families whose relatives remain missing while authorities work to identify recovered bodies and human remains.
Officials are collecting DNA samples from close relatives of missing people, which can then be compared with DNA obtained from unidentified remains. The process is expected to help authorities establish the identities of victims more accurately, particularly in cases where conventional identification methods are difficult or impossible.
The identification effort comes as rescue and recovery teams continue working in some of the country’s worst-affected areas. Floodwaters and landslides have damaged homes, roads, bridges and other infrastructure, while difficult terrain and limited access have complicated search operations.
For families still waiting for information about missing relatives, the DNA process offers a potential path toward certainty. Many have been left facing days of uncertainty as search teams continue examining disaster-hit areas and authorities compile information about those who remain unaccounted for.
Authorities are expected to continue collecting samples and coordinating with forensic experts as the identification operation progresses. The process may take time, particularly as teams work through a large number of cases and ensure that identifications are scientifically verified.
The DNA drive represents an important part of Nepal’s wider disaster response, combining rescue operations with forensic identification and support for affected families. As recovery efforts continue, authorities are working to ensure that victims are properly identified and that families receive reliable information about their missing loved ones.