Challenges in Managing Flood Victims’ Bodies in Rasuwa

Officials have reported difficulties in managing the bodies of victims who died due to flooding in the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa. Chief District Officer of Chitwan, Ganesh Aryal, informed that the increasing rate of bodies found along Chitwan’s riverbanks has created challenges in body management. Since hospitals in Chitwan cannot hold more than 30 bodies, special arrangements have been made at a government office in Bharatpur for their management. “Temperature-controlled storage has been set up in that building. It can accommodate up to 250 bodies,” stated Chief District Officer Aryal.

Security personnel in Chitwan have reported collecting bodies from areas ranging from Phisling to Ward No. 28, Golaghat, Bharatpur Metropolitan City. Authorities have confirmed that over 100 bodies have been recovered from riverbanks in Chitwan. Since many bodies cannot be kept in an identifiable state, the collected bodies will be cleaned and organized for proper identification, officials clarified. According to Chief District Officer Aryal, about 40 percent of the discovered bodies are damaged, making identification difficult.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Rameshwar Paudel shared that bodies are being systematically numbered and photographed. For unidentified bodies, DNA testing procedures are underway. “When relatives visit the Disaster Assistance Center and make decisions related to the bodies, arrangements will be made to hand over the bodies in accordance with regulations,” said Deputy Superintendent Paudel. To facilitate relatives coming to identify bodies, a help desk will be established beside the morgue, said Chief District Officer Aryal. Flood-affected families have gathered in the area searching for their loved ones.

Officials have confirmed that by Thursday morning, at least 270 bodies had been recovered following floods in the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa and downstream in the Trishuli River. More than 800 people remain missing as search and rescue operations continue. Prime Minister Balendra Shah has traveled to Nuwakot for an on-site inspection of the affected area.