Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Bihar on Alert as Nepal Floodwater Swells Gandak River
Floodwater from Nepal is moving into Bihar through the Gandak River.
The water reached the Gandak Barrage in Valmikinagar.
Officials opened all 36 gates so the water could flow through more easily.
They expect the water to rise until about 11 pm and then go down.
The government says the situation is under control for now.
However, officials are watching rivers, embankments, bridges and low-lying places closely.
Rescue teams, boats, shelters and community kitchens are being prepared.
People have been asked to stay alert but not panic.
Floodwater from Nepal reached Bihar’s Gandak Barrage at around 8:30 pm.
All 36 gates of the Gandak Barrage were opened to manage the surge.
Officials expect the river’s flow to peak around 11 pm before receding.
The maximum discharge is likely to remain near 2 lakh cusecs, officials said.
Authorities placed several districts on alert and prepared rescue, evacuation and relief measures.
- Who
- The Bihar government, including Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Water Resources Department officials, is responding to the situation.
- What
- Floodwater from Nepal passed through the Gandak River and reached the Gandak Barrage, prompting authorities to open all 36 gates and issue alerts.
- When
- The surge reached the barrage at around 8:30 pm on Wednesday; officials expected the flow to peak around 11 pm and remain under watch through the night.
- Where
- The situation is centered on the Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar in West Champaran, Bihar, with vigilance ordered across districts in the Gandak basin.
- Why
- Authorities opened the barrage gates and activated emergency preparations to control the water surge and protect vulnerable areas.
Officials’ Current Assessment
Precautionary Risk View
Whether the situation is under control
Officials’ Current Assessment
Water Resources Department officials said the situation was expected to remain normal because the likely maximum discharge was below this year’s recorded peak and far below the 2024 record.
Precautionary Risk View
Officials also described the situation as more serious than before and ordered continuous monitoring, emergency preparations and alerts across vulnerable districts.
Public response
Officials’ Current Assessment
The deputy chief minister appealed to residents to remain alert but not panic, saying the situation remained under control for now.
Precautionary Risk View
Authorities directed districts to prepare evacuation plans, boats, shelters, community kitchens and additional disaster-response teams in case conditions worsened.
- Barrage
- The Gandak Barrage is at Valmikinagar in West Champaran, Bihar.
- Gates opened
- All 36 gates of the Gandak Barrage were opened.
- Expected peak
- The river flow was expected to peak around 11 pm before receding.
- Likely maximum discharge
- Officials estimated the maximum discharge at around 2 lakh cusecs.
- Current comparison
- The highest discharge recorded this year was 2.24 lakh cusecs on July 14, 2026.
- Earlier record
- A discharge of 5.625 lakh cusecs was recorded on September 28, 2024.
- Nepal water level
- The Narayani River at Nepal’s Devghat gauge stood at 4.77 metres, below its 7.30-metre warning level and 9-metre danger level.
- Emergency readiness
- NDRF teams, boats, shelters, evacuation plans and community kitchens were being prepared or kept on standby.