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Weather
Rising Gandak River Levels Threaten 20 Lakh People in Bihar After Nepal Floods
✍️ Amar Ujala · Bihar
🗓 26 Aug 2026, 09:02 PM
👁 23
Authorities have issued flood alerts for several districts in Bihar as the Gandak River rises following catastrophic floods in Nepal, putting up to 2 million residents at risk.
Heavy monsoon rains triggered devastating floods in Nepal earlier this week, sending a surge of water across the border into the Gandak River. The sudden influx has caused the river’s water level to climb rapidly in Bihar, prompting officials to warn of a possible breach of embankments and heightened pressure on existing dams.
The state disaster management authority has issued flood alerts for West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur and Vaishali districts. Residents in low‑lying areas have been advised to stay alert, keep emergency kits ready and avoid unnecessary travel near riverbanks.
Hydrology experts say the rising water could affect roughly 20 lakh people across the notified districts. They caution that prolonged high water could weaken river embankments, increasing the risk of overtopping and localized inundation, especially in villages situated close to the river’s course.
The Bihar government has mobilised additional rescue teams, deployed sandbags along vulnerable stretches and instructed district collectors to coordinate evacuation plans if the situation worsens. Continuous monitoring of river levels is being carried out from the state’s water resources department.
Citizens are urged to follow official advisories, heed early warning signals and cooperate with relief agencies to minimise loss of life and property.
The state disaster management authority has issued flood alerts for West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur and Vaishali districts. Residents in low‑lying areas have been advised to stay alert, keep emergency kits ready and avoid unnecessary travel near riverbanks.
Hydrology experts say the rising water could affect roughly 20 lakh people across the notified districts. They caution that prolonged high water could weaken river embankments, increasing the risk of overtopping and localized inundation, especially in villages situated close to the river’s course.
The Bihar government has mobilised additional rescue teams, deployed sandbags along vulnerable stretches and instructed district collectors to coordinate evacuation plans if the situation worsens. Continuous monitoring of river levels is being carried out from the state’s water resources department.
Citizens are urged to follow official advisories, heed early warning signals and cooperate with relief agencies to minimise loss of life and property.