04 September,2026 10:47 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Pic/AFP
The Centre will make DNA profiling services available to first-degree biological relatives of people who remain missing following the devastating flash floods in Nepal, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.
The move is aimed at helping Nepali authorities identify mortal remains recovered from flood-affected areas by comparing DNA profiles of unidentified victims with those of their relatives living in India.
The services will be made available through central and state-level forensic laboratories and other authorised facilities with DNA profiling capabilities.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, first-degree biological relatives residing in India, including fathers, mothers, sons, daughters and siblings of missing persons, may provide biological samples for DNA profiling.
Samples and DNA profiles can be processed at Central Forensic Science Laboratories, State Forensic Science Laboratories, laboratories of the National Forensic Sciences University and National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories-accredited facilities equipped to conduct DNA profiling.
The Centre's decision comes as authorities in Nepal continue efforts to identify bodies recovered following the flash floods that struck the country last week.
The death toll has risen to at least 1,259, according to Nepali authorities, while search and rescue operations continue in several affected areas.
Emergency teams have rescued more than 12,000 people since the disaster, but around 5,000 people remain missing, according to the available figures.
The scale of the disaster has complicated efforts to identify recovered bodies, making DNA profiling an important part of the ongoing process.
The Embassy of India in Kathmandu had issued a press statement on Tuesday outlining information available regarding procedures for identifying the mortal remains of victims of the August 26 flash floods, the MEA said.
As an additional measure, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to make the services of central and state forensic laboratories, along with National Forensic Sciences University facilities, available for "DNA profiling of first-degree biological relatives of persons who remain missing following the flash flood in Nepal".
The MEA also shared a list of government forensic science laboratories in India with facilities for DNA profiling.
"As advised by the Nepal Police, Autosomal STR DNA profiling may be undertaken for the purpose of identification, subject to the technical requirements communicated by the Nepali authorities. The helpline number in this regard is: +977 9841 6160 95," the ministry said.
The DNA profiles, once prepared, along with preliminary information required by the Nepali authorities, can be sent for comparison with profiles obtained from unidentified mortal remains.
According to the MEA, the information may be sent by email to dnacodis@nepalpolice.gov.np for comparison with DNA profiles recovered from unidentified mortal remains.
For facilitation and coordination by the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, a copy of the DNA profile may also be sent to eoikathmandufloodsupport@gmail.com.
The ministry said the process was intended to support the ongoing identification efforts and assist families searching for relatives who remain unaccounted for after the disaster.
The flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal.
The disaster sent large volumes of water, debris and rocks through affected regions, damaging settlements and infrastructure and leaving a large number of people dead, injured or missing.
(With inputs from PTI)
