Patna: The Bihar government has issued a high-alert notification for several northern and western districts following a massive flash flood in the upper catchment area of the Gandak River in Nepal.
Triggered by sudden water discharge and heavy swelling in the Trishuli and Bhote Koshi river basins across the border, state authorities have mobilized emergency rescue teams and instructed engineers to maintain round-the-clock vigilance on major river embankments.
Why Has the Bihar Government Sounded a High Alert Along the Gandak?
The sudden rise in water volume originates from severe weather events and flash flooding in Nepal’s Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Lamjung, and Tanahun districts. The swelling rivers flow directly into India through North Bihar, posing an immediate overflow threat to downstream habitats.
Following a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit, instructions were issued to District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police across vulnerable zones to initiate preemptive preparedness measures.
Field agencies—including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Quick Reaction Teams—have been positioned to execute swift evacuations if water breaches low-lying riverbanks.
Which Bihar Districts Face the Highest Flash-Flood Risk?
The surge primarily threatens districts positioned along the direct course of the Gandak River and its secondary tributaries.
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Primary High-Risk Zones: West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Saran, Muzaffarpur, and Vaishali.
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Secondary Monitoring Zones: Sitamarhi and Sheohar (due to spillover monitoring along the adjacent Kosi and Bagmati catchments).
Officials confirmed that while the situation requires strict vigilance, panic is unnecessary as administrative preparations and flood defenses are fully active.
What Emergency Operations Are Underway at the Valmikinagar Barrage?
To manage the incoming surge without risking structural failure, the Water Resources Department ordered the opening of all gates at the Gandak Barrage in Valmikinagar.
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Flow Diversion: Excess water is being routed through associated canal networks to dissipate hydraulic pressure before the main peak reaches populated downstream plains.
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Infrastructure Inspection: Chief engineers and local patrol teams are monitoring critical embankments, spurs, and vulnerable river bends to prevent breaches.
What Caused the Sudden Flash-Flood Surge in Nepal?
The upper catchment surge stems from intense rainfall and sudden flood events near the Nepal-Tibet border. The deluge damaged vital regional infrastructure in Nepal’s Rasuwa district, including the Rasuwagadhi Friendship Bridge, disrupting local hydropower units and pushing massive water loads downstream toward India.
Local administration officials have advised residents living near the Gandak riverbeds to avoid low-lying floodplains and stay tuned to official district updates.
