The Bihar government on Wednesday, 26 August escalated flood preparedness across districts bordering the Gandak river, following warnings of a flash-flood wave in the river's upper catchment area in Nepal. Preliminary assessments suggest a flood wave of approximately three metres could reach the Gandak, prompting authorities to place multiple districts on high alert.

High-Level Review Meeting Convened

A senior-level review meeting was chaired by Bihar Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit on Wednesday, with District Magistrates, senior police officers, and Superintendents of Police from at-risk districts participating via video conference. The meeting assessed the developing situation in Nepal and its potential downstream impact on Bihar.

Chief Secretary Amrit directed officials to complete rescue, evacuation, and relief arrangements in advance, ensuring that residents can be moved to safer locations immediately should river levels rise without warning.

Districts on Special Vigil

Special vigilance has been ordered in West Champaran (Bettiah), East Champaran (Motihari), Gopalganj, Saran, Muzaffarpur, and Vaishali. Authorities in Sitamarhi and Sheohar, along with other vulnerable districts, have been instructed to maintain continuous monitoring of river levels, embankments, low-lying areas, bridges, culverts, and other critical infrastructure.

Officials have been told to report any signs of structural stress or damage immediately. Districts have also been directed to keep adequate boats, relief shelters, and community kitchens on standby so that evacuation and relief operations can begin without delay.

NDRF Deployment and Emergency Resources

The state has begun pre-deploying emergency resources ahead of any potential surge. A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team is being dispatched to Gopalganj, while another will remain on standby in Muzaffarpur. A third NDRF team is being made available for deployment to Bettiah within approximately two hours if required.

Sashastra Seema Bal Deputy Inspector General Sanjay Singhal has assured the availability of Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) and additional assistance in Bettiah if the situation demands. The Water Resources Department has been directed to ensure safe management of water flows through the Gandak Barrage and its canal network, with engineers ordered to maintain round-the-clock vigilance.

High-Risk Zones Identified in Nepal

Within the Gandak catchment, the districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Lamjung, and Tanahun in Nepal have been identified as high-risk areas. Dolakha and Sindhupalchok have been classified as high-risk zones in the Kosi catchment, while moderate risks have been forecast across several areas of the Kosi, Bagmati, and Gandak catchments.

This cross-border flood risk is not new — Bihar's northern plains are perennially vulnerable to flash floods originating in Nepal's hills, particularly during the monsoon season. The Gandak, Kosi, and Bagmati rivers routinely carry surge waters from Nepal into Bihar, making early-warning coordination between the two countries critical.

Government Urges Calm, Countering Misinformation

The Bihar government has emphasised that there is no cause for panic, but has urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert and follow instructions from local authorities. District Magistrates have been asked to hold daily media briefings and actively monitor social media to counter rumours and misinformation. Residents have been urged to rely exclusively on official and credible sources for flood-related updates.

With NDRF teams being positioned and district-level machinery on standby, the government's response will be closely watched as river levels are expected to be monitored continuously over the coming days.