Nepal floods: They stopped hoping he was alive. Then they found a hand

Amrit Diyali witnessed a human hand float downstream after the Bhotekoshi flood on August 26, instantly thinking of his missing brother Raj Kumar. Raj Kumar, along with his wife Shriti and their four-year-old son Siraj, were among the missing after the disaster that has claimed 1,114 lives and left nearly 3,916 people still missing across eight districts in Nepal.

As of September 2, more than 21,000 security personnel were involved in search and rescue efforts, rescuing almost 12,000 people. Despite the grim situation, Amrit had lost hope, stating, "We have stopped hoping for anything else." Raj Kumar's hand was found five days after the flood by his nephew Avinash, who recognized it as his uncle's.

The National Forensic Science Laboratory in Kathmandu is currently testing the hand, which is currently the 182nd sample in line for examination. The family is awaiting the results with bated breath, hoping that the hand belongs to Raj Kumar and confirming their worst fears.