Nepal is preparing to amend two laws so that families of 5,285 people missing after the 26 August floods can register their deaths and claim relief, officials told a parliamentary committee on Tuesday.
The government plans to change the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act and the National Identity Card and Registration Act through a fast-track process. Law Minister Sovita Gautam said an ordinance was also being prepared, as Parliament’s regular session has ended.
Law Ministry Joint Secretary Subash Kumar Bhattarai told the special committee that existing provisions are not enough. Under the Civil Code, a person missing for 12 years is generally presumed dead, and a court can declare a death in a disaster. Officials said that process has proved difficult for families, who cannot access compensation without a death registration.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the floods on the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers killed at least 1,455 people. Nepal ended its 40-day search and rescue operation on Monday and moved its focus to rehabilitation and reconstruction.
The committee was formed to study the disaster.
