In Brief:

• 103 unidentified bodies buried Sunday at Devghat forest area
• 272 bodies recovered in Chitwan after flood; 10 identified and handed to families
• SP Rameshwar Paudel: Identification details and markers preserved
• Families can claim bodies later if DNA testing confirms identity
• Burial decision taken to prevent health and environmental risks
• Records maintained to facilitate future exhumation and handover

CHITWAN, AUGUST 31 Authorities in Chitwan have buried 103 bodies recovered after the Bhotekoshi flood in Rasuwa, while keeping open the possibility of identifying and returning them to families through DNA testing. The bodies, swept downstream to Chitwan, were buried on Sunday in a forested area at Devghat after their identities could not be established. According to Chitwan District Police Office chief SP Rameshwar Paudel, a total of 272 bodies have so far been recovered in the district following the flood. Of them, 10 were identified and handed over to relatives, while the remaining 103 were buried after authorities preserved their identification details and markers. Although the bodies have been buried, authorities said families would still be able to claim them if their identities are established in the future through DNA testing. In such cases, relatives can coordinate with the administration to have the bodies exhumed and handed over. Officials said the decision to bury the unidentified bodies was taken to prevent health and environmental risks that could arise from keeping them exposed for an extended period. Records containing identification markers, details and other relevant information have been preserved to facilitate future searches and identification.