Patna: Bihar was placed on high alert on Wednesday after water from Nepal entered the Gandak river and reached the barrage at Valmikinagar in West Champaran district. To manage the rising inflow and ease pressure on the river system, officials opened all 36 gates of the barrage.
Nearly 1.50 lakh cusecs of water had been released from the barrage by 11 pm, making it the highest discharge recorded there during the day. Officials said the volume of water was likely to begin declining, but warned that the situation would have to be monitored closely.
The alert in Bihar followed a devastating flash flood in central Nepal. The flood, which reportedly originated in Tibet, killed more than 150 people and left over 750 missing.
Among those unaccounted for were 133 Indian nationals. Several towns and villages in Nepal were affected, bridges were swept away and nearly a dozen hydropower projects suffered damage.
State Orders Close Watch
The Gandak Barrage is situated at Valmikinagar, in West Champaran — the northernmost district of Bihar and one that shares a border with Nepal. The sudden movement of floodwater towards the barrage prompted the state government to place officials and district administrations on heightened alert.
Soon after information about the disaster emerged, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary held a meeting with Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit and other senior officials. The officials were directed to adopt all necessary precautions, remain on high alert and keep a continuous watch on developments along the river system, as reported by India Today.
Amrit later conducted a separate review with district magistrates and senior police officers from the districts bordering Nepal. The district administrations were asked to complete preparations for rescue and relief operations and maintain close surveillance of vulnerable areas.
Water Resources Department Secretary Chandrashekhar Singh said, “The situation is expected to remain normal. Nevertheless, all teams are on alert at the barrage, along the embankments and in the control room.”
Officials said the largest discharge recorded from the barrage this year was 2.24 lakh cusecs on July 14, 2026. The highest discharge in recent years was 5.625 lakh cusecs, recorded on September 28, 2024.
All Barrage Gates Opened
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, who also holds the Water Resources Department portfolio, said immediate precautionary steps had been taken to manage the situation. He said, “The department has taken immediate precautionary measures. All 36 gates of the Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar have been opened, and a technical team led by a Superintending Engineer has been deployed at the barrage. Warnings have also been issued to all districts in the Gandak river basin.”
Technical teams were positioned at the barrage, along the embankments and in the control room to track changes in the flow and water levels.
The Narayani river, which forms part of the Gandak river system, was flowing at 4.77 metres at the Devghat gauge site in Nepal, officials said. The level remained below the warning mark of 7.30 metres and well below the danger level of 9 metres.
Choudhary appealed to residents to remain cautious but avoid panic, adding that the Chief Minister was personally monitoring the situation.
The state government has also heightened vigilance in West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Saran, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Sitamarhi and Sheohar.
Relief Teams Kept Ready
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said government departments had been instructed to keep emergency preparations in place, maintain regular surveillance, stock essential supplies and conduct frequent inspections of embankments. District administrations were using public address systems to issue warnings in sensitive locations.
A statement issued by the Water Resources Department said, “Officials have been asked to monitor water levels of Gandak and other rivers, embankments, low-lying areas, bridges and other vulnerable locations and alert local communities in time. A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team will be sent to Gopalganj, while another will be kept on standby in Muzaffarpur.”
Authorities were also making arrangements to deploy an NDRF team in Bettiah. The Sashastra Seema Bal assured the state government that it could provide additional quick-response teams if the need arose.
District administrations were instructed to keep evacuation plans updated and ensure the availability of boats, shelters and community kitchens. The government said additional NDRF and State Disaster Response Force teams, boats and other emergency resources would be sent to affected areas if required.
In a post on X, Choudhary expressed sorrow over the deaths in Nepal. “My deepest condolences to the families of those who have passed away in this disaster. I pray to God that all Indian citizens stranded in Nepal remain safe and secure,” he said.
He added, “In this hour of crisis, the Government of India and the people of India stand firmly with our brothers and sisters in Nepal. Under the guidance of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, every possible assistance is being provided in the relief and rescue operations.”
