Floodwaters from Nepal entered the Gandak river system, prompting Bihar to open all 36 barrage gates. The move has triggered round-the-clock monitoring and emergency preparations across vulnerable districts.
Bihar was put on high alert on Wednesday after floodwaters from Nepal entered river Gandak and reached the Gandak Barrage, prompting authorities to open all 36 gates to manage the surge, officials said. Around 1.50 lakh cusecs of water had been released from the barrage by 11 pm, the highest discharge recorded there during the day. Officials said the flow was now expected to start receding.
The alert in Bihar came after a massive flash flood originating in Tibet swept through central Nepal, killing over 150 people and leaving more than 750 missing, including 133 Indian nationals. Several towns and villages were hit, key bridges were washed away and about a dozen hydropower projects were crippled.
The Gandak Barrage is located at Valmikinagar in West Champaran, Bihar’s northernmost district bordering Nepal. Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal told Parliament that an earthquake struck the Tibet region at 8:37 am (local time) and flash floods were reported three minutes later, suggesting the tremors may have caused a glacial outburst that triggered the floods.
As soon as the news broke, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary held a meeting with Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit and other senior officials to review the situation. Officials were directed to remain on high alert, take necessary measures and keep continuous watch on developments.
Amrit also held a meeting with district magistrates and senior police officials of the bordering districts, and district authorities were told to complete all rescue and relief preparations and closely monitor the situation.
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.” The highest discharge recorded this year was 2.24 lakh cusecs on July 14, 2026, while 5.625 lakh cusecs was recorded on September 28, 2024.
In a post on X, Choudhary said the loss of lives in Nepal was deeply saddening. “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.”
According to the Chief Minister, departmental officials have been told to keep all preparations in place for any emergency, maintain continuous vigilance and monitoring, stock essential materials and carry out regular inspection of embankments. District administrations are also issuing alerts in sensitive areas through public address systems.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, who also holds the Water Resources Department portfolio, 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.”
Department officials said opening all 36 gates would help the water flow and assist in controlling the flood situation.
Officials said the water level of the Narayani river at the Devghat gauge site in Nepal was 4.77 metres, against a danger level of 9 metres and a warning level of 7.30 metres. Vijay Kumar Choudhary said Bihar needed to remain on alert through the night because of the floods.
He appealed to people to stay alert but not panic, and said the Chief Minister was personally monitoring the situation. He also said there was no report at present of any rise in the water level of the Kosi river.