Nepal shortens legal death declaration period for flood victims

The Nepal government has issued an emergency decree to drastically reduce the waiting period for legally declaring disaster victims dead. The period for declaring missing persons deceased will be shortened from 12 years to approximately 45 days. This move aims to allow the families of the 5,285 people missing following the massive floods in August to access government compensation and proceed with inheritance processes.

As of recent reports, the floods have resulted in at least 1,455 confirmed deaths, though only 112 bodies have been identified and returned to families. The new decree, issued by President Ram Chandra Paudel, provides a legal pathway for families who previously faced administrative hurdles due to the long 12-year requirement under civil law.

Simultaneously, search operations for nine South Korean employees missing at the Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower construction site are entering their final stages. The missing individuals include three employees from Korea South-East Power and six from Doosan Enerbility. Due to the upcoming Dashain festival holidays, local manpower is becoming scarce, and search teams plan to conclude land-based operations this weekend, leaving only excavation work using heavy machinery.