Nepal deploys DNA services as flood death toll surges past 1,259

The death toll from last week's devastating flash floods in Nepal has climbed to at least 1,259, according to official figures released by Nepalese authorities on Monday. Rescue workers have continued recovering bodies from flood-affected areas across the country, with the grim toll expected to rise further as search and recovery operations progress in remote and difficult-to-access regions.

In response to the mounting casualties and the challenges faced by families of missing persons, Nepal's central government has announced it will provide DNA profiling services specifically for first-degree relatives of those unaccounted for. The initiative aims to assist authorities in identifying recovered remains and reuniting families with their deceased relatives, particularly in cases where visual identification has become difficult due to the condition of bodies.

The announcement represents a significant logistical effort by Nepalese authorities to manage the humanitarian crisis following the floods. Relief agencies and international partners have been mobilized to support rescue operations, emergency medical care, and rehabilitation of thousands left homeless by the disaster. The government has also established coordination centers to process missing persons reports and maintain updated records of identified casualties.

Nepal faces considerable challenges in the coming weeks as teams work to recover remaining bodies, identify the deceased, and address the widespread displacement affecting communities across multiple districts. The floods have caused extensive damage to infrastructure, agricultural lands, and residential areas, compounding the humanitarian emergency facing the nation.