Nepal cuts wait period to declare missing flood victims dead
The period required before a missing person can be legally declared dead is being cut from 12 years to 45 days.
Following the catastrophic flood that struck Nepal near the China-Nepal border on August 26, President Ram Chandra Poudel has slashed the waiting period to declare missing disaster victims dead. The new timeline, announced after a cabinet meeting, reduces the previous 12-year limit to approximately 45 days. This change comes as more than 5,000 people remain unaccounted for, including numerous foreign nationals.
The devastating flood, triggered by a mountain and glacier collapse, caused extensive damage, destroying infrastructure and claiming over 1,400 lives. As of now, only 112 bodies have been identified and returned to their families. Rescue efforts have been ongoing, with teams struggling to navigate through debris and salvage any survivors.
The delay in declaring deaths has left families unable to obtain death certificates, hindering their access to compensation and the resolution of property disputes. Some families have even conducted symbolic cremation ceremonies for their missing loved ones.
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- Malaysians missing in Nepal — families in Catch-22 situation freemalaysiatoday.com
