Nepal to Presume Flood Victims Dead After 45 Days Missing

Nepal's authorities have established a legal framework to presume missing persons dead if they cannot be located within 45 days of the August 26 floods, officials announced. The decision addresses the urgent need to process missing persons declarations and enable grieving families to access relief and compensation schemes.

The catastrophic flooding was triggered by a sudden mountain and glacier collapse along the China-Nepal border region, unleashing torrents of water and debris that swept through populated areas. The disaster left significant portions of the affected region inaccessible, hampering search and rescue operations and complicating efforts to account for all missing persons.

The 45-day presumption period reflects international standards for disaster response while accounting for the challenging terrain and weather conditions in Nepal's mountainous regions. Authorities have indicated that the measure is intended to facilitate legal proceedings and provide closure to families while search operations continue where feasible.

The new protocol is expected to streamline administrative processes for issuing death certificates and enabling next of kin to claim insurance benefits, financial assistance, and property inheritance rights. Nepal's government has coordinated with international agencies to manage the aftermath of the disaster and support affected communities.