Patna: Bihar has stepped up its flood preparedness after the devastating flash flood in neighbouring Nepal triggered fears of a sharp rise in water levels in the Gandak River, with authorities placing several districts under heightened vigilance and deploying National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams.
The immediate focus is on districts connected to the Gandak river system, including West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Saran, Muzaffarpur and Vaishali. District administrations in Sitamarhi and Sheohar have also been directed to maintain close watch on the evolving situation.
NDRF Teams Deployed, Rescue Plans Ready
An NDRF team has been deployed in Gopalganj and Bettiah, while another has been kept on standby in Muzaffarpur. Authorities have also begun preparing for possible evacuations from vulnerable and low-lying areas.
People living in flood-prone parts of Bagaha in West Champaran and Vaishali have been advised to move to safer locations if necessary. Officials have been instructed to maintain round-the-clock surveillance and keep rescue and relief machinery ready.
The Bihar government has also opened all 36 gates of the Valmikinagar Gandak barrage as a precautionary measure to facilitate the smooth discharge of water. Officials are closely tracking the movement of the flood wave downstream.
Gandak Water Level Under Watch
The concern stems from the flash flood in Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River, whose waters feed into the wider river system connected to the Gandak. Officials have warned of a possible sharp increase in the Gandak’s flow in Bihar.
According to the Bihar government’s flood monitoring data, the Gandak at Dumariaghat in Gopalganj had crossed the danger level on Wednesday, while levels at Rewaghat in Muzaffarpur, Hajipur in Vaishali and Bagaha in West Champaran were above their respective warning levels.
Nepal-Tibet flash flood
Water level at the Gandak Barrage in Bihar remains stable at the peak level of 1,50,200 cusecs as of midnight. pic.twitter.com/77k4UG5uTe
— Maneesh Karki (@maneeshkarki) August 26, 2026
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said the next few hours were crucial but stressed that there was no reason for panic as authorities were closely monitoring the situation.
Amit Shah Assures Centre’s Support
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary over the emerging flood threat and assured the state government of all possible assistance. The Centre has also moved to mobilise disaster-response resources, including the NDRF.
The Bihar chief minister has constituted a high-level team to monitor the situation, while senior officials have been directed to remain on alert and ensure that rescue and relief arrangements can be activated immediately.
The developments come as Nepal battles a major flash-flood disaster near its Tibet border. The flooding has caused extensive destruction and raised concerns downstream in India, highlighting the vulnerability of the transboundary river systems linking the Himalayan region with the plains.
Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert, follow official advisories and avoid approaching swollen rivers or low-lying areas until the threat subsides.
