Nepal cuts 12 year wait, to declare those missing in flood 'dead' after 45 days

Nepal's government has significantly reduced the time frame for declaring people missing in disasters dead, from 12 years to just 45 days. This new ordinance, enacted on the advice of Prime Minister Balendra Shah's cabinet, will allow families of the 5,285 individuals missing, including at least 189 Indians, during the August 26 floods to quickly obtain death certificates and claim compensation, insurance, and other legal rights.

The ordinance, signed by President Ram Chandra Poudel, went into effect immediately, just a day before the 45-day period expired. To begin the process, families must provide evidence that their loved ones were present in the affected areas on August 26. The Indian embassy in Kathmandu will assist in verifying these details, while local registration offices will handle the applications using necessary documents such as nationality papers, police reports, and embassy certifications.

Once the death certificates are issued and the required consular procedures are completed, families in India can use these documents to pursue inheritance, insurance, and other legal claims. However, the ordinance does not specify whether foreign nationals will be eligible for compensation under Nepal's disaster relief provisions.