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Nepal Rains Drive Bihar Flooding as Gandak Reaches Records
Very heavy rain fell in parts of Nepal from September 24 to 27.
The rain sent a large amount of water into the Gandak River, which is also called the Narayani in Nepal.
At one place in Nepal, the river reached its highest measured level since the 1960s.
Satellite pictures showed that flooded areas had grown.
Flooding and waterlogging affected parts of several Bihar districts.
Other rivers in Bihar were also above danger levels at some places.
Officials said embankments were under strong pressure.
The state government said it was monitoring the situation and arranging relief.
The Indian Air Force flew food supplies to people in parts of Saran district that were difficult to reach by road.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said heavy rain in Nepal from September 24 to 27 drove the Gandak River to record levels.
NASA satellite imagery compared September 20 and 29, showing flooding spread around the river; the NASA report was published October 2.
At Devghat, Nepal, the Gandak—called the Narayani there—reached 11.94 metres on September 27, its highest level since measurements began in the 1960s.
Flooding and waterlogging affected parts of West Champaran, Gopalganj, Saran and Muzaffarpur; several rivers were above danger marks, and embankments faced pressure.
The Indian Air Force delivered more than 28 tonnes of food in over 5,600 ration packets to flood-affected parts of Saran district during 15 sorties.
- Who
- Bihar officials, including Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, reported the flooding; the Indian Air Force delivered food supplies.
- What
- Heavy rain in Nepal contributed to record Gandak River levels and flooding in Bihar; relief operations were under way.
- Where
- The Gandak/Narayani river system, Nepal, and flood-affected districts in Bihar, India.
- When
- Rain fell September 24–27; the river reached its reported record at Devghat on September 27. The report and relief update were cited on Saturday.
- Why
- Choudhary attributed the flooding to exceptionally heavy rainfall in Nepal and unusually high water flowing into the river system.
Exceptional rainfall explanation
Seasonal flooding explanation
Cause of the flooding
Exceptional rainfall explanation
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said the flooding reflected exceptionally heavy rainfall in Nepal and unusually high water entering the river system, rather than normal seasonal conditions.
Seasonal flooding explanation
The article reports no official or other source arguing that normal seasonal conditions caused the flooding; it notes only that river levels rose after recent heavy rainfall in Nepal and Uttar Pradesh.
Key facts
- Nepal rainfall period
- September 24–27
- Gandak level at Devghat
- 11.94 metres on September 27
- Devghat record
- Highest recorded there since measurements began in the 1960s
- Districts reported affected
- Parts of West Champaran, Gopalganj, Saran and Muzaffarpur
- Rivers above danger mark
- Gandak, Ganga, Kosi, Bagmati and Ghagra at several locations
- IAF relief delivery
- More than 28 tonnes of food in over 5,600 dry-ration packets
- IAF sorties
- 15 sorties in Saran district
Quotes
Senior official of the Water Resources Department
An unnamed senior official of Bihar's Water Resources Department.
“The swollen Gandak river has put embankments in certain districts at risk. These districts include: Saran, Gopalganj, East and West Champaran, Vaishali, Supaul, Patna, etc.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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