Rasuwa Flood: 21 Bodies Identified in Pokhara

Of the 102 bodies recovered during search and rescue operations following the devastating Bhotekoshi River flood in Rasuwa district on August 26, 21 have been identified and handed over to their families in Pokhara.

The bodies brought to Pokhara included 22 from Dhading district, seven from Gorkha, 25 from Nawalparasi and 22 from Tanahun.

The bodies were brought to Pokhara for identification, forensic examination and proper management.

Of them, 21 were identified on Tuesday and subsequently handed over to their families, according to Chitrangad Baral, Assistant Chief District Officer of Kaski.

Baral said 76 unidentified bodies have been safely managed at Sisaunghari of Upper Deep in Pokhara Metropolitan City-16.

According to him, five bodies remain at the mortuary of Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences. Further testing is required as photographs of the bodies have been claimed by more than one family.

“Keeping the bodies at the mortuary for a long time could cause foul odour and increase the risk of disease outbreaks. Therefore, they have been safely managed,” he said.

He added that DNA samples have been collected from all the bodies and that the remains could be handed over to the respective families if DNA tests establish a match.

The unidentified bodies have been placed in airtight plastic bags and buried in deep graves, each marked with an identification number, Baral divulged.
After burial, flower pots have been placed above the graves, with stands displaying the respective identification numbers, he added. (RSS)