It is not one or two bodies, but nearly 500. Nepal is now facing a major humanitarian and logistical crisis over where to store such a large number of bodies recovered following a devastating flood near the Nepal-Tibet border.

While some of the bodies are yet to be identified, post-mortem examinations of others have also not been completed. Under normal circumstances, the bodies would be kept in morgues or cold storage facilities. However, authorities are now struggling with an acute shortage of body storage space in the affected areas.

The devastating flash flood struck the Nepal-Tibet border region last Wednesday, leaving thousands of people missing. According to official figures cited in the report, at least 475 people have died so far, with their bodies recovered from different locations.

A significant number of the deceased are believed to be foreign nationals. Their bodies must be properly identified and preserved before being handed over to their respective countries. Authorities fear that without adequate cold storage facilities, the bodies may begin to deteriorate before identification procedures are completed.

The crisis is particularly severe in the affected areas of Nuwakot, Dhading and Nawalparasi, where sufficient morgue facilities are not available to accommodate such a large number of bodies. Morgues in neighbouring Pokhara have also reportedly reached their capacity.

To deal with the emergency, the Nepal government is setting up a temporary morgue in Chitwan, where arrangements are being made to store the recovered bodies. The temporary facility has the capacity to accommodate a maximum of around 250 bodies.

However, authorities are concerned that the number of recovered bodies could rise further as search and rescue operations continue. If the death toll increases beyond the available storage capacity, the government may be forced to carry out the last rites of some bodies at the Devghat electric crematorium.

According to Sushil Aryal, an Information Officer associated with the Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences, the bodies are currently being preserved at temperatures between 2 and 6 degrees Celsius.

“Under these conditions, the bodies can be properly preserved for a maximum of around two weeks. Keeping them for a longer period would require specialised storage facilities, which are not currently available,” he said.

This means that bodies which remain unidentified beyond the preservation period may eventually have to be cremated locally.

Tag Numbers for Unidentified Bodies

For bodies that cannot be identified, authorities are planning to maintain detailed records before carrying out the final rites.

Photographs of every deceased person will be taken, while fingerprints and other identifying information will also be collected. DNA samples will be preserved and sent to laboratories for testing.

All available details will be compiled and stored in a central database. Each unidentified body will be assigned a unique tag number.

The records and tag numbers can later help relatives identify their missing family members, even after the final rites have been performed. The system is expected to provide an important link between the victims and their families as Nepal continues to deal with the aftermath of one of the region’s most devastating flood disasters.

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A sudden and devastating flood struck Nepal’s mountainous region on Wednesday after floodwaters surged into the Bhotekoshi River, reportedly originating from the Tibetan side of the Nepal-China border. The disaster has caused widespread destruction in several areas, damaging homes, roads, bridges and power infrastructure.

At least 16 people have died so far in the flash floods and landslides in Nepal’s Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading districts, while several others remain missing. Reports suggest that 105 Indian nationals are among those reported missing. Authorities fear that the death toll could rise as rescue teams continue their operations in affected areas.

The Rasuwa district, located along the Nepal-China border, has been particularly badly affected. Severe flooding and landslides have damaged houses, roads and other infrastructure, while several villages have reportedly been swept away by the powerful flow of water.

The disaster has also left hundreds of Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims stranded in the Rasuwagadhi area. Around 390 pilgrims, including 93 Nepali nationals, were scheduled to cross into China on Wednesday. According to Basu Kumar Adhikari, Managing Director of Touch Kailash Travels and Tours in Kathmandu, only a few pilgrims could be contacted by around 3 pm, while there was no reliable information about many others.

Rescue and relief operations are underway, but communication remains disrupted in several affected areas, making it difficult for authorities to establish the exact number of missing people and assess the full extent of the damage.

The situation has also triggered concern in neighbouring India, particularly in Bihar, where authorities have issued alerts over the possible impact of the rising water levels. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has personally spoken with Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary to review the state’s preparedness and the situation arising from the floods.

Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has issued emergency helpline numbers to assist Indian nationals affected by the disaster. Indian citizens requiring assistance can contact +977 985 131 6807 or +977 970 910 7500.

With rescue operations continuing and several people still unaccounted for, authorities remain on high alert across the affected regions.

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