Nepal Floods: Centre to Offer DNA Profiling Services for First-Degree Relatives of Missing Persons
Free DNA testing will help match unclaimed remains with families as more than 2,400 people remain missing after the floods, officials said.
- On Thursday, September 03, 2026, the Tamil Nadu government announced free DNA tests for relatives of residents missing in Nepal's recent flash floods to facilitate victim identification.
- A flash flood swept down the Bhotekoshi River from Tibet into Nepal's Rasuwa district on August 26, 2026, killing more than 1200 people and leaving at least 2,426 missing.
- The Union Ministry of Home Affairs is making central and state-level forensic labs available for DNA profiling, while Tamil Nadu instructed District Collectors to coordinate testing at facilities in Chennai, Madurai, and Thanjavur.
- Relatives are asked to provide blood samples for Autosomal STR DNA profiling; once prepared, profiles must be emailed to the Nepal Police for comparison with unidentified mortal remains.
- As of September 2, 2026, authorities have rescued 220 of 305 persons from Tamil Nadu stranded in Nepal. Efforts continue to establish contact with the remaining 85 persons as identification proceeds.
20 Articles
20 Articles
The Economic Times
Nepal floods: Centre to offer DNA profiling services for first-degree relatives of missing persons
India will provide forensic DNA profiling support to help identify mortal remains of Nepal flood victims, the MEA said. First-degree relatives of missing persons residing in India can submit samples at designated central, state and accredited laboratories. DNA profiles will be shared with Nepal authorities for comparison with unidentified remains.
Relief and rescue operations are still underway in Nepal following the flash floods. Meanwhile, India's Ministry of External Affairs has announced that DNA profiles of close relatives of victims will be compiled to identify missing people in Nepal.
India opens forensic labs to identify Nepal flood victims through DNA profiling
India has opened its forensic laboratories to collect DNA samples from relatives of people missing in Nepal's flash floods. The step could speed up identification of mortal remains and support grieving families across the border.
Nepal flashflood: India opens forensic labs for DNA profiling of victims’ kin - The Tribune
In a major step towards identifying Indians missing after the August 26 flashfloods in Nepal, the Ministry of Home Affairs had opened India’s forensic laboratory network for DNA profiling of their first-degree biological relatives, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.
Nepal Floods: Mortal Remains Temporarily Interred for DNA Matching, Not Mass Burial, Says Envoy Naveen Srivastava
Get latest articles and stories on World at LatestLY. Speaking with ANI regarding the ongoing rescue operations following the severe flooding that hit the region on August 26, Ambassador Srivastava outlined that the mission began immediately as authorities tracked Indian pilgrims, workers, and residents stranded in the affected areas. World News | Nepal Floods: Mortal Remains Temporarily Interred for DNA Matching, Not Mass Burial, Says Envoy Nav…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
