Maharajganj, Sept 1:
Four unidentified bodies recovered from the Narayani-Gandak river in Uttar Pradesh’s Maharajganj district have been handed over to Nepal authorities following post-mortem examinations, officials said.
The bodies — three women and a man — were recovered from the river on August 27 and kept at the district hospital mortuary after their identities could not immediately be established.
DNA samples were collected from all four bodies during the post-mortem examination to assist authorities in establishing their identities and matching them with missing persons.
Nichlaul Tehsildar Amit Singh, who led the recovery operation, said the bodies were transported in two ambulances and handed over to the Nawalparasi administration at the Maheshpur border near Thuthibari late on Sunday.
The handover comes amid large-scale search and rescue operations following devastating floods and flash floods in Nepal and adjoining areas.
Authorities on both sides of the border have been coordinating identification and repatriation procedures as the number of missing persons continues to be assessed.
The use of DNA samples is expected to help families identify relatives who may have been swept away during the disaster.
Officials have been maintaining records of unidentified victims and coordinating with Nepalese authorities to ensure that recovered bodies are returned through proper procedures.
The latest recovery underscores the cross-border impact of the disaster, with river systems carrying debris and victims across the India-Nepal border.
Further identification of the four victims is expected after DNA analysis and comparison with records of missing persons.