Gujarat govt completes DNA sample collection from kin of 29 missing persons in Nepal floods

According to an official statement, "The collected samples are being processed for DNA profiling, and subsequent identification of bodies and human remains recovered after the devastating flash floods. The process for the remaining case is also underway."

Following the directives of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the State Government has ensured that all necessary assistance and support are extended to the families and kin of missing persons in Gujarat and abroad.

The Gujarat State Non-Resident Gujaratis Foundation (NRGF), under the NRI Division of the General Administration Department, has been coordinating the DNA sample collection process and assisting families in completing the procedures required for identification.

In accordance with guidelines issued by the Government of India, designated forensic laboratories have been identified across the country for DNA sample collection and profiling of first-degree relatives of missing persons.

As per the directions of the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, all laboratories designated for this purpose across the country will undertake DNA profiling free of cost. Six such designated laboratories are located in Gujarat, enabling families in the state to access authorised facilities.

The National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), Gandhinagar, is coordinating, in association with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), matters relating to DNA profiling of samples collected in India and their coordination with the identification process in Nepal.

As per the Government of Indias guidelines, NRGF is personally contacting the relatives of each missing person and guiding them regarding designated laboratories, available facilities and the procedure for DNA sample collection and profiling. NRGF is also in contact with NRGs and relatives residing abroad to ascertain the action taken by local authorities in their respective countries.

In cases involving relatives in New Zealand, the United States, Canada and African countries, NRGF has been obtaining information regarding DNA samples collected by the concerned authorities and the status of the identification process.

In several such cases, DNA samples of relatives residing abroad have already been collected by the respective local authorities. NRGF is maintaining contact with the families and coordinating the information required for the identification exercise in Nepal.

DNA profiling of collected samples is being undertaken through designated laboratories in Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Junagadh and Rajkot. Samples of relatives residing abroad have been collected through the concerned authorities in their respective countries.

The DNA profiling reports are being sent directly by the respective laboratories to the Government of Nepal through the official email addresses and contact numbers notified by the Government of Nepal for this purpose.

The Gujarat Government has been working in coordination with the Government of India and consular authorities in Nepal to trace people from the state and Gujaratis living abroad who were reported missing or remain uncontactable following the floods.

So far, 30 people, including Non-Resident Gujaratis, remain untraceable in the flood-affected areas of Nepal.

The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), district administrations and NRGF have been coordinating efforts to assist the families of those missing in the disaster. A list of missing and untraceable persons compiled by SEOC and NRGF has also been shared with the Government of Nepal.

The Government of Nepal has launched a DNA profiling exercise to identify bodies and human remains recovered following the flash flood that struck the Bhote Koshi River area on August 26, 2026. The disaster resulted in hundreds of deaths, displaced thousands of people and caused extensive damage.

Officials said people from Ahmedabad, Anand, Banaskantha, Kheda, Gandhinagar, Surat, Valsad, Rajkot and other parts of Gujarat have been reported missing or remain out of contact. Several had travelled to Nepal for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through different travel agencies and routes.

With conventional identification methods proving difficult when bodies or remains cannot be readily identified, DNA profiling has emerged as a key component of efforts to establish victims identities.

The DNA-based identification process is expected to help authorities match recovered remains with missing persons from Gujarat, other parts of India and other countries, and provide families with confirmation about the status of their missing relatives. (ANI)