Nepal has begun temporarily burying unidentified victims of the devastating floods and landslides, triggering public criticism over the handling of the dead and concerns that traditional Hindu funeral practices are being overlooked.

Authorities in Chitwan district have placed hundreds of bodies in hastily dug trenches as rescue teams and forensic officials struggle to identify victims from the disaster. At least 903 people have reportedly died, while another 4,247 remain missing, with the toll expected to rise.

According to Euronews, some of the bodies recovered in Chitwan were swept hundreds of kilometres downstream by the Bhotekoshi River from areas hit hardest by the floods.

Officials said the temporary burials were necessary because morgues and forensic facilities were overwhelmed, while high temperatures and humidity were accelerating the decomposition of bodies. About 100 unidentified victims were temporarily buried on Saturday, with more bodies expected to undergo DNA sampling before burial.

The decision has nevertheless sparked anger among families and residents in the predominantly Hindu country, where cremation is the customary funeral practice. Some relatives said authorities should have waited longer before burying the unidentified victims and sought greater family involvement.

Officials, however, stressed that the graves are temporary and that families will be allowed to reclaim the remains once identities are confirmed. Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai said the process followed internationally recognised disaster-management procedures, including protocols associated with the International Committee of the Red Cross.

With thousands still missing, families continue to visit hospitals, morgues and rescue centres searching for relatives as authorities face the difficult task of balancing urgent disaster management with the religious and cultural traditions surrounding the dead.

BOB Post