Families of Flood Victims Denied Relief Due to 'Missing' Status

Kathmandu. After relatives went missing in the Bhote Koshi flood in Rasuwa, most families have performed funeral rites according to religious customs, but as they are still listed as 'missing' in the state's records, the affected families are deprived of funeral rite expenses and other necessary relief and assistance.

The devastating flood that occurred on Bhadra 10 caused great loss of life and property. After relatives went missing in the flood, some families performed funeral rites according to religious customs by making a straw effigy of the body, even without finding the corpse. However, as the death has not been legally confirmed, local authorities have not been able to register their deaths. This is causing problems in providing funeral rite expenses and other government relief, according to local representatives.