Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Uttarakhand have stepped up flood preparedness after a devastating flash flood in Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River left at least 160 people dead and hundreds of tourists, including 133 Indians, reportedly missing.
The disaster in Nepal’s Rasuwa district has triggered concerns in neighbouring Indian states as additional water could flow into rivers originating in Nepal. Authorities have activated disaster response teams, issued alerts and begun evacuating residents from vulnerable areas.
Bihar orders evacuation in five districts
The Bihar government has ordered the evacuation of people living in vulnerable low-lying areas across West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Sapaul and Muzaffarpur.
Officials are closely monitoring the Gandak River and the Valmikinagar barrage, where water discharge has been rising.
The discharge at the Valmikinagar barrage was around 106,000 cusecs at 5 pm and was expected to rise significantly by Thursday morning. The barrage’s 36 gates were opened in phases as a precautionary measure.
West Champaran officials have also activated field formations to monitor developments, particularly the rising water level at Devghat in Nepal.
NDRF, SDRF teams deployed
Disaster response teams have been mobilised in Bihar to deal with any potential flooding.
A 30-member NDRF team, along with an SDRF team, has been deployed near Chawahi in Gopalganj, where families from low-lying areas are being evacuated.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said the government was keeping a close watch on the situation in the Gandak and had constituted a committee headed by the chief secretary and police chief to monitor developments.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke with the Bihar chief minister and assured the state of all possible assistance from the Centre.
UP sounds alert in border districts
The Uttar Pradesh government has sounded an alert in Maharajganj and Kushinagar, both of which share a border with Nepal.
Officials are monitoring the possible impact of increased water flow from rivers originating in Nepal, including the Ghaghara and Rapti.
The situation could worsen if heavy rainfall continues or water is released from barrages upstream.
Uttarakhand monitors border areas
Authorities in Uttarakhand have also stepped up monitoring in border districts following the Nepal disaster.
Officials of the Uttarakhand Disaster Management Authority have briefed teams in districts including Chamoli about the situation and the need to remain prepared for any possible impact.
Why the Nepal floods could affect India
The flash flood occurred around 200 km north of the Indian border, but its impact could extend into northern India because several major rivers flowing through Uttar Pradesh and Bihar originate or receive water from Nepal.
The Trishuli River, which receives water from the Bhote Koshi system, eventually contributes to the Gandak river system. Increased rainfall and water releases could also affect the Ghaghara, Rapti and Kosi rivers.
Flash floods in the Himalayan region can be triggered by intense rainfall, earthquakes and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), among other factors.
An analysis by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) reported that more than 1,000 flood events had been recorded in the higher reaches of the Himalayan region since 1950.
133 Indians reportedly missing
The safety of Indian nationals remains a major concern following the disaster. As many as 133 Indians are reportedly missing, with authorities working to locate those affected.
The Indian government has been coordinating with Nepalese authorities on rescue and relief efforts, while the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has issued emergency contact numbers for Indians seeking assistance.
As rescue operations continue in Nepal, authorities in northern India remain on alert, particularly in areas vulnerable to a sudden rise in river levels.
The immediate focus remains on evacuating people from vulnerable locations, monitoring river flows and ensuring that disaster response teams are ready to act if water levels rise further.