# Nepal flood disaster and legal reforms > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nepal-flood-disaster-and-legal-reforms > Updated: 2026-10-10T07:00:11.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. Following a devastating rock-and-ice avalanche and subsequent floods in August, which caused a “Himalayan Tsunami” and left thousands missing, the government of Nepal has moved to reform laws regarding missing persons. Initially, the cabinet recommended an ordinance to reduce the legal timeframe required to declare a missing person dead from 12 years to approximately 45 days. This measure was designed to assist families of disaster victims in accessing insurance, claiming relief, and settling inheritance or property matters. President Ram Chandra Paudel has since issued the emergency decree. The shortened period aims to support families of the thousands missing following the floods, which have resulted in at least 1,455 confirmed deaths. While the decree provides a legal pathway for compensation, search operations continue for specific groups, including nine South Korean employees missing from a hydropower construction site. As local manpower becomes scarce due to upcoming holidays, land-based search operations are expected to conclude, shifting focus to heavy machinery excavation. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-10: Nepal shortens legal death declaration period for flood victims Nepal has reduced the legal waiting period to declare disaster victims dead from 12 years to 45 days, aiding families of the 5,285 missing after August floods. Search for nine Koreans nears conclusion. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nepal-shortens-legal-death-declaration-period-for-flood-victims ### 2026-10-07: Nepal proposes reducing legal wait to declare missing persons dead Nepal's cabinet has recommended reducing the legal waiting period to declare missing persons dead from 12 years to 45 days following devastating Bhotekoshi floods. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nepal-proposes-reducing-legal-wait-to-declare-missing-persons-dead --- Cite as: Nepal flood disaster and legal reforms. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nepal-flood-disaster-and-legal-reforms