Alert issued as Nepal floodwaters head to Bihar, rescue teams on standby

Bihar and parts of Uttar Pradesh have been put on alert and rescue teams have been stationed after a huge flash flood swept through villages in Nepal, leaving over 20 dead and hundreds missing.Bihar, which borders Nepal, has been put on alert following massive flash floods in the Himalayan country, with the government warning that water levels in the River Gandak could rise sharply in the coming 5-6 hours. Terrifying footage showed powerful floodwaters crashing into buildings and sweeping away houses and vehicles in Nepal. The tragedy, which happened near the Tibet border, left over 20 dead. Several are missing, including over 130 Indian tourists.The violent flash flood in neighbouring Nepal has put Uttar Pradesh and Bihar on alert. Several rivers flow from Nepal into Bihar, most notably the Gandak and the Kosi. These rivers originate in Tibet before entering India.Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Chaudhary has urged people in bordering districts to remain vigilant, saying the next 5-6 hours are crucial. However, he said there was no reason to panic. "The problem is bigger than before, but the situation is under control presently," Chaudhary said.Chaudhary, who is also the state water resources minister, said rising waters from Nepal are expected to lead to a surge in the Gandak River. The water is likely to flow to the Valmikinagar barrage in the next 2-3 hours. The water is expected to flow through the Trishuli River to Devghat and then into the Gandak River before reaching Bihar.The current water level of the Gandak is relatively low, which the minister said was a "positive factor". Initial assessment is that as much as 2.5 lakh cusecs of water may eventually pass through the Valmikinagar barrage. - EndsPublished By: Abhishek DePublished On: Aug 26, 2026 17:45 IST