Nepal flash floods trigger high alert across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar

Authorities in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Uttarakhand have stepped up flood preparedness after a sudden flash flood in Nepal’s mountainous Rasuwa district killed dozens of people and left nearly 400 tourists, including 105 Indians, missing.

The flooding occurred around 200 kilometres north of the India-Nepal border. According to an advisory from India’s Central Water Commission, the deluge was suspected to have been triggered by a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF). The National Disaster Response Force warned that additional water could raise levels in rivers flowing from Nepal into northern India.

The Trishuli River, which receives much of the Bhote Koshi’s flow, feeds into the Gandak, raising particular concerns for Bihar. Heavy rainfall and barrage-gate operations in Nepal could also increase flows in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaghara and Rapti rivers and Bihar’s Kosi.

In Bihar, authorities ordered evacuations from low-lying areas in West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Supaul and Muzaffarpur. At 5pm, discharge from the Valmikinagar barrage stood at around 106,000 cusecs, with officials expecting it to rise to about 300,000 cusecs by Thursday morning.

All 36 gates of the barrage were opened in phases as a precaution. Officials said canal water supplies were being disrupted while emergency measures were put in place.

NDRF and State Disaster Response Force teams have been deployed in vulnerable locations. A 30-member NDRF team was stationed near Gopalganj to assist with evacuations.

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said a high-level committee headed by the chief secretary and Director General of Police would closely monitor the Gandak. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke with Choudhary and assured central assistance if required.

Uttar Pradesh has separately issued an alert for Maharajganj and Kushinagar. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to strengthen preparedness amid the possibility of rising Gandak and Narayani river levels.

Officials in Uttarakhand have also been briefed, although authorities said the impact on the state’s rivers was expected to remain limited.