How Bihar is bracing for impact after Nepal flash flood destruction

The increased flow from a glacial lake outburst has caused an unexpected increase in the discharge and water level of the Gandak River further downstream.

A technical team led

Technical Team Activated

The Chief Minister has directed authorities to remain in 'high alert' mode and ensure all necessary action in time to maintain continuous watch over the situation. For related coverage, explore our detailed analysis on Technology and Digital Systems.

The public-address system is being used to alert residents living inside embankments, with teams of the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force deployed in potentially affected areas.

The Central Flood Control Cell at Sinchai Bhawan has been activated round the clock, providing a toll-free number for people to report any flood-related emergencies.

Public Alert System Activated

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary 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.

He directed authorities to remain in 'high alert' mode, ensure all necessary action in time, and maintain continuous watch over the situation.

“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.

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

As a glacial lake outburst triggers flood warnings, Bihar is gearing up for potential floods As a flash flood gushed down the Bhotekoshi River and water levels rose in the Trishuli river basin, which feeds directly into the Gandak River system, Bihar government authorities stated all 36 gates were opened at Valmikinagar “as a precaution”. “A technical team led The increased flow is expected to cause an “unexpected increase” in the discharge and water level of the Gandak further downstream.

At 12 noon, the discharge at the Gandak Barrage in Valmikinagar was 86,000 cusecs and was showing a rising trend, authorities stated. The river in Nepal 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.

Authorities stated 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 chief secretary convened an emergency meeting with the district magistrates concerned and directed authorities to use public-address systems to alert residents living inside embankments and ensure arrangements are in place to move them to safer locations in time, another official stated.

“Teams of the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force are being deployed in potentially affected areas,” the official stated. 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.

He directed authorities to remain in “high alert” mode, ensure all necessary action in time and maintain continuous watch over the situation. Meanwhile, the Central Flood Control Cell at Sinchai Bhawan in Patna stated it has 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 stated. The department has also provided the telephone numbers 0612-2206669 and 0612-2215850, and mobile numbers 7463889706 and 7463889707 for information and complaints.