Nepal floods: Centre offers DNA profiling for relatives of missing persons as 5,000 remain missing

The Centre will make DNA profiling services available to firstdegree biological relatives of people who remain missing following the devastating flash floods in Nepal the Ministry of External Affairs said on ThursdayThe move is aimed at helping Nepali authorities identify mortal remains recovered from floodaffected areas by comparing DNA profiles of unidentified victims with those of their relatives living in IndiaThe services will be made available through central and statelevel forensic laboratories and other authorised facilities with DNA profiling capabilitiesDNA samples can be collected from parents children and siblingsAccording to the Ministry of External Affairs firstdegree biological relatives residing in India including fathers mothers sons daughters and siblings of missing persons may provide biological samples for DNA profilingSamples 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 Laboratoriesaccredited facilities equipped to conduct DNA profilingThe Centres decision comes as authorities in Nepal continue efforts to identify bodies recovered following the flash floods that struck the country last weekThe death toll has risen to at least 1259 according to Nepali authorities while search and rescue operations continue in several affected areasThousands remain missing after devastating floodsEmergency teams have rescued more than 12000 people since the disaster but around 5000 people remain missing according to the available figuresThe scale of the disaster has complicated efforts to identify recovered bodies making DNA profiling an important part of the ongoing processThe 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 saidAs 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 firstdegree biological relatives of persons who remain missing following the flash flood in NepalNepal Police advises use of Autosomal STR DNA profilingThe MEA also shared a list of government forensic science laboratories in India with facilities for DNA profilingAs 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 saidThe DNA profiles once prepared along with preliminary information required by the Nepali authorities can be sent for comparison with profiles obtained from unidentified mortal remainsDNA profiles to be shared with Nepali authoritiesAccording to the MEA the information may be sent by email to dnacodisnepalpolicegovnp for comparison with DNA profiles recovered from unidentified mortal remainsFor facilitation and coordination by the Embassy of India in Kathmandu a copy of the DNA profile may also be sent to eoikathmandufloodsupportgmailcomThe ministry said the process was intended to support the ongoing identification efforts and assist families searching for relatives who remain unaccounted for after the disasterFloods caused widespread destruction across NepalThe flash floods triggered by an icerock avalanche near the NepalTibet border devastated towns and villages in northern and central NepalThe 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 missingWith inputs from PTI