Nepal flash floods: Tamil Nadu government arranges free DNA tests for relatives of those missing

The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday (September 3, 2026) announced that arrangements have been made to conduct DNA tests for relatives of pilgrims from the State, who have gone missing in Nepal during the recent floods , to facilitate identification.

The free of cost tests will be conducted at the forensic science laboratories in the Chennai, Madurai and Thanjavur regions.

According to an official release, the Tamil Nadu government has been taking coordinated efforts with the Government of India and Government of Nepal to rescue hundreds of Tamils who were stranded in Nepal due to floods.

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As of September 2, a total of 220 persons out of 305 persons from Tamil Nadu have been rescued, while efforts are being made to establish contact with the remaining 85 persons.

As a continuation of these efforts, and to facilitate the identification of persons missing in the floods, the State government has arranged for the DNA tests for willing first-degree relatives such as parents or children of the missing persons, in accordance with the standard operating procedures issued by the Government of Nepal, the release said.

The Tamil Nadu government has instructed the respective District Collectors to make necessary arrangements to take willing first-degree relatives of persons missing in the Nepal floods to any one of the regional centres nearest to them for the collection of blood samples for DNA testing, and to upload the details on the website of the Government of Nepal, the release said.

Further, the Tamil Nadu government is extending all necessary assistance to relatives who wish to travel to Nepal along with the required details, the release added.