Maharashtra mountaineers open helpline to trace families’ missing relatives in Nepal floods

People commute across the Trishuli river via a newly installed zipline in the aftermath of flash floods at Trishuli Centre in Nepal’s Nuwakot district on Thursday. PICS/PTI

As families across the state desperately search for loved ones missing in the floods that have left Nepal devastated, the Maharashtra Mountaineers Rescue Coordination Centre (MMRCC), which operates under the Akhil Maharashtra Giryarohan Mahasangh (AMGM), the apex organisation for mountaineering in the state, has thrown open a statewide helpline to trace the missing and help identify victims.

Family members look at details of people who went missing after the flash floods, outside Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, Nepal

Umesh Zirpe, president of AMGM, told mid-day that the Maharashtra government had requested the MMRCC to help affected families access information and coordinate in the official identification process being carried out by the Nepal government and the Embassy of India in Kathmandu.

[popcorn number="1991" desc="Year AMGM was founded" class="Default"]

"Through AMGM's district-level network, families are being provided information about the identification of recovered bodies. Details of missing persons are also being collected and consolidated for coordination with the state government," said Umesh Zirpe.

Several families in Maharashtra are still waiting for information about relatives who went missing in the disaster. In cases where bodies cannot be identified visually, DNA matching with first-degree relatives is being undertaken by the Nepal authorities.

Family members gather at Pashupatinath temple during symbolic funerals of their loved ones, who are still reported missing, in accordance with Nepali Hindu rites, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Thursday. PICS/PTI

According to MMRCC, the process is time-sensitive and has urged families to submit details and DNA samples at the earliest through the appropriate authorities. "Our network across Maharashtra is also being used to reach families in remote areas and connect them with the official identification process in Kathmandu," said Zirpe.

The Akhil Maharashtra Giryarohan Mahasangh was founded in 1991 to promote, develop, spread and advance trekking and mountaineering in Maharashtra and create a state-level platform for overall development of mountaineering organisations and mountaineers.

Nepal's first female helicopter captain, Priya Adhikari, during relief and rescue operations after the flash flood, in Rasuwa. She reportedly has flown around 100 rescue missions in less than a week

Two very important steps

Families with first-degree relatives missing in the Nepal flood disaster have been requested to...

1 Check the Nepal Police website for photographs and details of recovered bodies:

2 Fill in the official MMRCC Google Form, irrespective of whether the missing relative has been identified on the Nepal Police website.

The MMRCC said that all information submitted will be kept confidential and used only for the identification of missing persons and repatriation of mortal remains.

MMRCC helplines

Individuals or families needing assistance with the form or seeking clarification about the process of tracing missing persons or the identification and repatriation of mortal remains can contact the MMRCC on 9325011719 and 9881099793.

Where to go for DNA Testing

For Mumbai residents
Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratories
Address: Hans Bhugra Marg, Kalina,Santacruz East
Phone: 022-26670755
JM Wani (assistant director): 8484992688
SG Palaskar: 9594961983
KD Mahajan: 9594741605
Email: dir.fsl@maharashtra.gov.in

For Pune residents
Regional Forensic Science Laboratory
Address: Besides the Chaturshringi police station in Ganeshkhind, Pune.
Phone: DC Joshi (deputy director): 9503059959
CU Chavan (assistant director): 9767025031
Email: dydir.rfslpune@maharashtra.gov.in

For Nashik residents
Regional Forensic Science Laboratory
Address: In front of Vidyut Nagar, Dindori Road, Lok Sahakar Nagar, Nashik
Phone: RR Pawar (deputy director): 9405183253
Dr RM Patil (assistant director): 8275257317
Email: dydir.rfslnashik@maharashtra.gov.in