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International
Nepa Shortens Wait to Declare Flood‑Missing Persons Dead to 45 Days
✍️ Times of India
🗓 11 Oct 2026, 04:49 AM
👁 13
The Nepali government has amended its law to declare persons missing in flood disasters as deceased after 45 days, cutting the previous 12‑year waiting period.
The Nepalese parliament passed a new regulation that will allow authorities to declare people who have gone missing in flood events as deceased after a 45‑day period, a drastic reduction from the former 12‑year waiting rule.
Under the revised law, families of missing persons can file a formal claim within the 45‑day window, after which the government will issue a death certificate. The change is aimed at providing closure to grieving families and expediting the settlement of insurance and inheritance matters.
The decision follows repeated flooding incidents across the country, which have left thousands of residents unaccounted for. Legal experts say the new rule will streamline administrative processes but also raise questions about verification procedures.
Government officials highlighted that the amendment will be implemented immediately, with the Ministry of Home Affairs overseeing the transition. The move has been welcomed by several civil‑society groups seeking faster resolution for affected families.
Under the revised law, families of missing persons can file a formal claim within the 45‑day window, after which the government will issue a death certificate. The change is aimed at providing closure to grieving families and expediting the settlement of insurance and inheritance matters.
The decision follows repeated flooding incidents across the country, which have left thousands of residents unaccounted for. Legal experts say the new rule will streamline administrative processes but also raise questions about verification procedures.
Government officials highlighted that the amendment will be implemented immediately, with the Ministry of Home Affairs overseeing the transition. The move has been welcomed by several civil‑society groups seeking faster resolution for affected families.