1 week ago
Bihar Raises Alert After Nepal Floods Threaten Gandak Surge
Heavy flooding in Nepal may send extra water into Bihar’s Gandak River.
Officials warned that the water could rise suddenly, possibly in a wave about three metres high.
Several districts near the river are being watched closely.
Teams are checking rivers, embankments, bridges and other important places.
Rescue workers, boats, shelters and community kitchens are being prepared in case people must leave their homes.
National Disaster Response Force teams are being sent or kept ready in Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur and Bettiah.
Nepal’s floods reportedly killed four people and damaged villages and hydropower projects.
Uttar Pradesh is also watching the Gandak and Narayani rivers.
Officials said people should stay alert, follow official instructions and avoid rumours.
Bihar warned that a flash-flood wave of up to around three metres could raise Gandak River levels.
West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Saran, Muzaffarpur and Vaishali were placed under special vigilance, along with Sitamarhi and Sheohar.
Nepal floods reportedly killed four people, devastated settlements and damaged at least a dozen hydropower projects.
Rescue teams, boats, shelters, evacuation plans and community kitchens are being prepared in Bihar.
Uttar Pradesh and the Sashastra Seema Bal also increased preparedness amid possible rises in the Gandak, Narayani and other rivers.
- Who
- Bihar government departments, district administrations, police, the National Disaster Response Force, the State Disaster Response Force and the Sashastra Seema Bal are preparing; Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit chaired a review meeting. Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also discussed the risk. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed preparations in two districts.
- What
- Authorities raised flood preparedness levels over a possible sudden surge in Gandak River discharge, with possible effects on the Narayani River and nearby areas.
- Where
- The risk concerns Nepal’s upper Gandak catchment and Bihar districts along the Gandak. Uttar Pradesh’s Maharajganj and Kushinagar, along with areas near the India-Nepal border, are also being monitored.
- When
- The alerts, review meetings and flooding in Nepal were reported on Wednesday, August 26.
- Why
- Flash flooding and a reported glacial lake outburst in the upper catchment could send a sudden increase in water into downstream rivers.
Key facts
- Possible flood wave
- A flash-flood wave of up to around three metres could enter the Gandak River.
- Bihar districts under vigilance
- West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Saran, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Sitamarhi and Sheohar.
- Nepal high-risk districts
- Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Lamjung and Tanahun in the Gandak catchment; Dolakha and Sindhupalchok in the Kosi catchment.
- Reported Nepal damage
- Four people were reportedly killed, settlements were extensively damaged and at least a dozen hydropower projects were affected.
- Emergency resources
- National Disaster Response Force teams are being sent to Gopalganj and Bettiah, with another kept on standby in Muzaffarpur.
- Preparedness measures
- Districts were told to prepare evacuation plans, boats, shelters and community kitchens while monitoring rivers, embankments, bridges and low-lying areas.
- Border response
- The Sashastra Seema Bal alerted its formations along the India-Nepal border and reported deploying 18 teams, including seven on standby.
Quotes
Bihar government's Disaster Management Department
The Bihar state department that issued the statement on flood preparedness
“Officials have been asked to monitor water levels of Gandak and other rivers, embankments, low-lying areas, bridges and other vulnerable locations and alert local communities in time. A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team will be sent to Gopalganj, while another will be kept on standby in Muzaffarpur.”
thehansindia.com
m.rediff.com
deccanchronicle.com
telegraphindia.com
“A high risk of flash floods is forecast for the Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Lamjung, and Tanahun districts (Gandak catchment) and the Dolakha and Sindhupalchok districts (Kosi catchment) in Nepal.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
Bihar, UP brace for situation
Nepal Flash Flood Triggers Gandak River Surge Fear; Bihar Places 6 Districts On High Alert
Bihar on alert after flash floods ravage Nepal
Bihar On Alert As Flash Flood Risk In Nepal's Gandak Catchment Raises Water Surge Concerns
Nepal Floods: Bihar On Alert Over Possible Rise In Gandak Water Level
Nepal flash flood: Bihar on high alert over possible Gandak river water level surge
Bihar on alert over possible rise in Gandak river's water level after Nepal flash floods - Telegraph India
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