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India Outlines Nepal Flood Remains Identification and Repatriation Process
Severe floods hit Nepal on August 26 and killed or displaced many people.
Some victims were citizens of India and other countries.
Families can look at photographs and descriptions on the Nepal Police website to identify recovered remains.
Nepal has a nine-step process before remains can be handed over.
This includes medical examinations, checking identity documents and collecting fingerprints or DNA.
Some remains were temporarily buried because storing them created health risks.
Close relatives can help identify these victims through DNA profiles or blood samples.
The Indian Embassy will help families coordinate the return of identified remains.
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu issued procedures to identify and repatriate foreign nationals who died in Nepal’s August 26 flash floods.
Relatives can review photographs and descriptions of recovered remains on the Nepal Police website to help establish identities.
Nepal’s nine-step process includes documentation, post-mortem examinations, cause-of-death verification, forensic sampling and identity-document checks.
Many unidentified remains were temporarily interred to prevent health risks, with DNA matching planned for those cases.
First-degree relatives can email DNA profiles or provide blood samples, while the Indian Embassy coordinates with Nepali authorities on repatriation.
- Who
- The Indian Embassy, Nepalese authorities and relatives of foreign nationals who died or remain missing after the floods.
- What
- A procedure was issued for identifying, handing over and repatriating flood victims’ mortal remains.
- Where
- Rasuwa and other parts of northern and central Nepal, with coordination through Kathmandu and Nepal Police.
- When
- The floods occurred on August 26; the embassy issued its guidance afterward, with one report dating the latest advisory to September 1, 2026.
- Why
- To identify deceased foreign nationals, reduce health risks from unprocessed remains and enable their lawful handover and repatriation.
Key facts
- Disaster date
- August 26
- Affected areas
- Rasuwa and parts of northern and central Nepal
- Identification by photographs
- Families can consult photographs and descriptions published on the Nepal Police website.
- Handover procedure
- Nepal’s nine steps cover documentation, photographs, post-mortem examination, cause-of-death verification, formal identification, forensic sampling, passport or ID verification, embassy coordination and a handover receipt.
- DNA matching
- Parents, full siblings and biological children may provide DNA profiles or blood samples for matching.
- Nepal Police contact
- [email protected]; helpline +977 9841 6160 95.
- Indian Embassy assistance
- Relatives may copy DNA profiles to [email protected] and use WhatsApp helplines +977 985 131 6807, +977 970 910 7500 and +977 981 032 6117.
Quotes
Indian Embassy in Kathmandu
The Indian diplomatic mission in Nepal, which issued the statement about identification and repatriation procedures
“If relatives and family are able to identify the mortal remains through photographs and description of the deceased on Nepal Police's website: https://udb.nepalpolice.gov.np/disaster?&count=4188&page 1, then the Embassy of India, Kathmandu, will assist in coordination with local authorities for processes related to handing over and repatriation of mortal remains.”
m.rediff.com
“Authorities in Nepal are collecting DNA samples from the emains for creating their DNA profiles. For carrying out the matching, first-degree relatives of the dead people can either send DNA profiles through email to [email protected] or give blood samples, along with some preliminary information required by Nepali authorities.”
NDTV
Sources
Nepal Floods: Indian Embassy Issues 9-Step Guidelines To Identify And Repatriate Victims' Mortal Remains
Indian embassy issues procedure to repatriate mortal remains of Nepal flood victims
Identify bodies in Nepal via photos or send DNA samples: India
Indian Embassy Issues Procedure For Repatriation Of Flood Victims’ Remains
Nepal issues advisory on identification of remains of foreign nationals killed in flash floods
India Steps In To Identify Flood Victims As Nepal Buries Unclaimed Bodies
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