5,000 evacuated in Bihar as Tibet avalanche triggers floods in Nepal

“A technical team led by a superintending engineer has also been sent to the barrage from the department headquarters to monitor the situation,” the official said. “Warning messages have also been issued to all districts located in the Gandak River basin. Departmental officials have been directed to remain on continuous alert and monitoring, while arrangements have been strengthened for the storage of flood-response materials and continuous inspection of embankments.”

In Nepal, the Gandak River — called Narayani there — was at 4.77 metres at the Devghat gauge. The danger level at the site is 9 metres, while the warning level is 7.30 metres. Officials said that once the water level rises at Devghat, it could take about 3.5 hours for the increased flow to reach the Gandak Barrage.

The floods could affect districts such as West Champaran (Bettiah), East Champaran (Motihari), Gopalganj, Saran, Muzaffarpur and Vaishali. Sitamarhi and Sheohar are also being treated as sensitive districts.

Around 5,000 people were moved from the riverine area of West Champaran, officials said.

Another official said floodwaters from Nepal reached the Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar around 8:30 pm, with the water discharge increasing by approximately 20,000 cusecs.

“The water level is expected to reach its peak by around 11 pm, after which the discharge is likely to begin declining. The maximum discharge is expected to remain around 2 lakh cusecs.”

According to the Water Resources Department, the maximum discharge recorded so far this year was 224,000 cusecs, on July 14. On September 28, 2024, the discharge had reached 562,500 cusecs.

Nepal flash floods (Image: Google Maps)

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also held a separate meeting to review the situation with the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary of the Disaster Management Department and Secretary of the Water Resources Department.

Meanwhile, the Central Flood Control Cell at Sinchai Bhawan in Patna said it had been activated round the clock. “People can report any flood-related emergency, including embankment seepage, piping, erosion, damage or deliberate damage to embankments on the toll-free number 1800-345-6145,” an official said.

The department has also provided the telephone numbers 0612-2206669 and 0612-2215850, and mobile numbers 7463889706 and 7463889707 for information and complaints.

Officials said the “situation is expected to remain normal”, but authorities remain on high alert.

“Personnel are monitoring the situation at the barrage, along the embankments, and in the control room,” one official said. “Teams of the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force are being deployed in potentially affected areas.”

In Uttar Pradesh, border districts Maharajganj and Kushinagar have been put on alert. Describing the damage caused by the severe flooding in Nepal as deeply concerning, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the local administration in the two districts to ensure all necessary preparedness measures.

He also instructed them to maintain strict vigilance and closely monitor the water levels of the Gandak.