India’s technical and forensic teams have stepped up their efforts in flood-hit Nepal, making progress in the rescue operation at the Chilime tunnel while processing more than 1,200 DNA samples to help identify victims of the devastating August 26 disaster.

The death toll from the floods has risen to 1,356, while around 4,994 people remain missing, according to Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. A total of 13,396 people have been rescued so far as search, relief and infrastructure restoration work continues across several affected districts.

Progress Reported In Chilime Tunnel Rescue

The Ministry of External Affairs said India’s technical team had made steady progress in efforts to reach people affected by the disaster at the Chilime tunnel.

Rescue work has been supported by the establishment of safety rope connectivity and the deployment of a large mud pump to accelerate the removal of slush from the tunnel.

Work is also continuing on a makeshift path to enable the movement of heavy machinery to the site, with the MEA describing progress on the access route as encouraging.

The tunnel rescue operation forms part of wider efforts to search areas affected by the flooding and the mud and debris left behind by the disaster.

Indian Forensic Team Processes Over 1,200 Samples

India’s forensic team is simultaneously working at two laboratories in Kathmandu, where more than 1,200 DNA samples are being processed to assist in identifying victims.

The team has so far generated around 292 DNA profiles, the MEA said.

Nepal’s disaster management authority said bodies and unidentified human remains have been recovered from Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Tanahun, Chitwan, Nawalparasi East and Nawalparasi West.

Chitwan recorded the highest number of bodies recovered, with 363, followed by Nawalparasi East with 223 and Nawalparasi West with 221. Authorities have recovered 197 bodies in Nuwakot, 169 in Rasuwa, 75 in Gorkha, 70 in Dhading and 38 in Tanahun.

A total of 98 bodies have been handed over so far. The NDRRMA said relatives can submit DNA samples at the concerned District Police Office along with two photographs and proof of kinship.

Nearly 5,000 People Still Missing

Around 4,994 people remain unaccounted for following the floods, including approximately 1,967 in Rasuwa and 2,340 in Nuwakot.

The list of missing persons also includes around 100 security personnel and government officials, along with 587 foreign nationals.

A total of 6,676 injured people are receiving treatment, according to the latest update. Medical treatment has been provided to 327 people at 10 hospitals, with 242 of them subsequently discharged.

The Nepali Army has treated 3,379 people, while the Armed Police Force has provided medical assistance to 2,970 people.

India Seeks DNA Samples For Missing Nationals In China

The Indian Embassy in Beijing has separately asked families of Indian nationals missing after the August 26 mudslide and flash flood to provide DNA samples to assist with identification.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared a post by the embassy on X, which said, “DNA Profile Matching for Missing Indian Nationals. Please see the press release below for details.”

The embassy said Chinese authorities had confirmed that they were able to receive DNA samples relating to Indian nationals listed as missing following the disaster.

“Following confirmation from authorities in the People’s Republic of China that they are now able to receive DNA samples for Indian nationals listed as missing following the devastating mudslide and flash flood of August 26, the Embassy of India in Beijing requests the families of Indian nationals who remain missing, to submit DNA samples to assist in the identification process,” the embassy said.

Families willing to provide DNA information have been asked to submit the relevant data in the internationally recognised Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) format to the Indian Embassy in Beijing, which will forward it to the concerned Chinese authorities for comparison.

Thousands Of Personnel Mobilised For Relief Work

Nepal has deployed 21,402 security personnel for rescue and relief operations, including 7,912 Nepal Police personnel, 9,287 members of the Nepali Army and 4,203 personnel from the Armed Police Force.

A total of 3,533 people are staying at 39 holding centres. These include 669 people in Rasuwa, 2,651 in Nuwakot and 213 in Dhading.

The Nepal government has provided cash assistance of NPR 10 million each to Rasuwa and Nuwakot, NPR 5 million to Dhading and NPR 135 million to 15 affected local governments.

Nepal Observes National Mourning

Nepal is observing a day of national mourning on Monday in memory of those killed in the floods.

A Cabinet meeting held on September 3 at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers decided to observe national mourning in honour of the victims. National flags are being flown at half-mast at government offices, Nepali embassies and diplomatic missions abroad.

The Bhotekoshi flood struck Rasuwa and caused extensive damage to homes, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other critical infrastructure.

Downstream areas along the Trishuli River, including parts of Nuwakot and Dhading, were also affected. The flooding displaced communities and disrupted transport, electricity and water supplies.

Search and rescue operations, relief distribution and infrastructure restoration are continuing across the affected areas, involving Nepal’s security agencies, government authorities, local communities and international partners.

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