Kathmandu, August 29: In response to the increasing number of unidentified and unclaimed bodies following the devastating flash floods in southern Chitwan district, Nepal’s administration has decided to proceed with mass burials. A total of 229 bodies were recovered from the Bhote Koshi River, raising concerns over infection risks and the deteriorating condition of the remains.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), as of Saturday morning, 626 bodies had been recovered, with Chitwan alone accounting for 233 of these. The death toll has been rising since the catastrophic floods struck on August 26, and hospitals in Chitwan are struggling with limited space and facilities to manage the bodies.
Health experts have warned that the foul odor from the temporarily stored bodies could lead to the spread of infections and potential epidemics. Consequently, the Chitwan District Security Committee made the decision on Saturday to bury all unidentified and unclaimed bodies.
The Chitwan District Administration Office announced that these bodies would be buried starting Saturday in an open area at Ward Number 1 in Bharatpur Metropolitan City.
Nepali officials stated that DNA samples will be collected from all bodies before burial, and a reference number system will be implemented to facilitate future identification.
A senior official from the District Administration Office noted that Chitwan’s hospitals can only accommodate about 30 bodies at a time for extended periods. “As the number of bodies increased, we utilized a house as a cooling center for storage. When that space ran out, we had no option but to proceed with burials,” the official explained.
The burial process will adhere to international guidelines and comply with the ‘Management of Unknown and Unclaimed Bodies (Amendment) Directive, 2083.’
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