CHITWAN, Sept 2: A total of 335 bodies recovered in Chitwan after the devastating flood in Rasuwa’s Bhotekoshi River on August 26 have been managed.
The bodies were recovered from the Trishuli and Narayani rivers after being swept downstream from the flood-affected areas. Of the 335 bodies managed so far, 129 could not be identified by sex.
The unidentified bodies were placed in pits in a forest area of Bharatpur Metropolitan City 1, Devghat, with the process completed by Tuesday night.
According to Chitwan District Police Office chief Superintendent of Police Rameshwar Paudel, 348 bodies have been recovered in the district so far. Of these, 335 have been managed, while 12 have been identified and handed over to their families after postmortem examinations. One body remains to be managed.
As it became difficult to store the growing number of bodies in the district, authorities began collecting DNA samples and placing the bodies in pits in the forest from Saturday.
Police managed 96 bodies on Saturday, 103 on Sunday, 81 on Monday and 55 on Tuesday.
Women perform final rites in Damauli
Of the bodies placed underground, 129 could not be identified by sex. Police said 107 were men, 73 were women, 15 were girls and 11 were boys.
Superintendent Paudel said DNA samples from the bodies have been preserved while they are being temporarily managed in the forest. Bodies that have been identified have been handed over to their families after postmortem examinations.
Bodies continue to be found along riverbanks. The Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have been jointly deployed for search and body management operations.
DNA Samples Collected to Identify Bodies
Authorities in Chitwan have started collecting DNA samples from relatives to identify bodies recovered after the Bhotekoshi flood.
The District Police Office began collecting samples on Tuesday at the Chitwan Industrial Association premises in Bharatpur Metropolitan City 10, with support from the Bagmati Province Public Health Laboratory, Bhaktapur service unit and the District Public Health Office.
Police Deputy Superintendent of Police Chandrabhushan Yadav, the district police information officer, said samples are being collected from 9 am to 5 pm.
According to Yadav, blood samples will be collected from one first degree relative of a missing person, such as their father, mother, son or daughter, for DNA testing. Relatives coming to provide samples have been asked to bring an official identity document and two passport size photographs.
Police Inspector Sandesh Kumar Pokharel of the Nepal Police Forensic Science Laboratory explained the technical process of DNA collection and testing. He said teeth and bone samples are mainly collected from the bodies of unidentified people to establish their DNA profiles.
The profiles will then be matched with DNA samples collected from relatives to establish the identities of the deceased.
“DNA samples from parents or children are preferred first. If first degree relatives are not available, samples from brothers or sisters can also be used for testing,” Pokharel said.
He said authorities aim to complete testing and DNA matching of all samples within at least 12 weeks, or three months, by using Nepal’s laboratory capacity as well as foreign assistance.
Police said relatives living outside Chitwan can also provide DNA samples by visiting the district police office in their respective districts.
Arrangements have also been made for relatives living abroad to provide DNA samples. First degree relatives of missing people living overseas can participate in the identification process by submitting a soft copy of their DNA profile through the Nepali embassy or diplomatic mission in their country or through the official website of Nepal Police.
Candlelight vigil at temporary body storage site
A candlelight vigil was held on Tuesday evening at the forest area in Bharatpur 1, Devghat, where the recovered bodies have been temporarily managed.
The event was attended by the chief of the District Coordination Committee, the chief district officer, heads of the security agencies, hospital officials and members of the public.
People from different communities lit candles and paid tribute to the victims. Authorities said 338 bodies had been managed at the site so far.
Girls from the Ram Janaki Girls’ Ashram in Devghat recited verses from the Bhagavad Gita and paid tribute to the deceased. Representatives of different religious communities also attended the event and offered tributes.
District Coordination Committee chief Narayan Prasad Adhikari and Chief District Officer Ganesh Aryal lit candles and paid their respects to the victims.
Authorities stressed that the site is not being used for final funeral rites. It is only a temporary arrangement until the identities of the bodies can be established.
The area is expected to remain a temporary body management site for up to 12 years.
