Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Nepal Rains Trigger Gandak Embankment Breach, Flood Alert in Bihar
Heavy rain in Nepal sent a large amount of water into the Gandak River.
The rushing water caused a breach in the river embankment at Bagaha on Monday.
An embankment is a raised barrier that helps keep river water in its channel.
The Gandak Barrage recorded an extremely high water discharge on Tuesday morning.
The flow stayed above 500,000 cusecs for 13 hours.
This pushed floodwater toward several districts in Bihar.
Areas in Uttar Pradesh near the river were also put on high alert.
Officials are watching the situation because more water could affect nearby communities.
Heavy, short-duration rainfall in Nepal’s Gandak basin triggered a severe flash flood.
The flooding breached the Gandak embankment at Bagaha on Monday.
The Valmikinagar Gandak Barrage recorded a discharge of 5,43,500 cusecs at 6 a.m. Tuesday.
Water flow exceeded 500,000 cusecs for 13 hours and 400,000 cusecs for 32 hours.
West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Saran, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, and adjoining Uttar Pradesh areas were placed at flood risk.
- Who
- Residents and authorities in downstream Bihar and Uttar Pradesh districts are affected by the flood threat.
- What
- A flash flood caused a breach in the Gandak embankment and sent large volumes of water downstream.
- When
- The breach occurred on Monday; the reported barrage discharge was recorded at 6 a.m. Tuesday.
- Where
- The breach occurred at Bagaha, with risks extending across districts in Bihar and adjoining areas of Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- Heavy, short-duration rainfall in Nepal’s Gandak River catchment caused the severe flash flood.
- River
- Gandak River
- Breach location
- Bagaha
- Barrage
- Valmikinagar Gandak Barrage
- Peak reported discharge
- 5,43,500 cusecs
- High-flow duration
- Above 500,000 cusecs for 13 hours
- Additional high-flow duration
- Above 400,000 cusecs for 32 hours
- At-risk areas
- West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Saran, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, and adjoining Uttar Pradesh areas