Nepal Floods: 1,200 DNA Profiles Generated as India-Nepal Identification Effort Continues

The Indian forensic team deployed in Kathmandu after the recent flash floods in Nepal has been working on 3,000 DNA samples and has so far generated more than 1,200 DNA profiles, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal gave the figures during his bi-weekly briefing while responding to a query about missing Indian nationals and the identification process being carried out with Nepalese authorities.

Jaiswal said India had earlier shared a figure of 275 missing Indian nationals. He added that several other people from the Indian diaspora and persons of Indian origin were also missing following the disaster.

The Indian forensic team has been working in Kathmandu across several laboratories in coordination with its Nepalese counterparts. The team has processed about 3,000 samples and arrived at over 1,200 DNA profiles so far, with the identification work continuing.

The MEA said it was awaiting information from Nepalese authorities regarding the missing Indian nationals and other missing persons. The latest DNA profiles are expected to assist the identification process as Nepal continues its post-flood response.

The flash floods originated near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26 and caused extensive destruction in northern and central parts of Nepal. The Bhotekoshi river, which flows south from the Himalayan border region, carried the floodwaters downstream.

The floods swept away houses, vehicles, roads and bridges and also damaged hydropower projects, according to the report. Several areas were affected as the floodwaters moved downstream from the Himalayan border region.

India’s forensic assistance is part of the cooperation between the two countries following the disaster. The forensic personnel are working with Nepalese colleagues in Kathmandu laboratories as authorities continue efforts to establish the identities of missing people.

The identification process involves DNA samples collected in connection with the missing-person cases. The Indian team’s work is continuing, while the MEA said it was waiting for further information from Nepalese authorities.

The MEA spokesperson said the Indian team was working with Nepalese colleagues in several Kathmandu laboratories. The exercise covers samples linked to people reported missing after the floods and remains ongoing at present.