Business

Bihar on alert as rivers swell after Nepal deluge

By Sohail Khan 28 August 2026, 7:01 pm

Benchmarks
Nifty24,175.6584.81

Precious Metal
Gold (MCX) (Rs/10g.)159,449.00453.0

Enter search text:

Business News›News›India›Bihar braces for floods as Nepal rains push rivers above danger mark

Read Today's Paper

Bihar braces for floods as Nepal rains push rivers above danger mark
Synopsis

Bihar faces significant flood threats as river water levels continue to rise. Heavy rainfall and flash floods in Nepal have caused major rivers to swell. Authorities have opened barrage gates and are monitoring river embankments closely. People are being moved from low-lying areas to safer locations. Disaster response teams are on standby for any emergency situations.

A man inspects his house after it was damaged by a landslide at Trishuli Bazaar, Nuwakot — Bihar faces significant flood threats as river water levels continue to rise. Heavy rainfall and flash floods in Nepal have caused major rivers to swell.

Several parts of Bihar faced the threat of flooding on Friday as water levels in the Ganga, Gandak, Kosi and Burhi Gandak rivers continued to rise following devastating flash floods and heavy rainfall in neighbouring Nepal.

A senior official said excess water brought by the flash floods had caused the Gandak river to swell, prompting authorities to open all 36 gates of the barrage at Valmiki Nagar. About 1.02 lakh cusecs of water had been released from the Gandak Barrage by 5 pm on Friday.

Also Read: Nepal issues new flood warning after dam breach in Tibet

"Teams of the Water Resources Department at the Gandak barrage are on alert. Officers have been directed to ensure regular inspection of the river embankments, maintain a round-the-clock vigil and make all preparations for a possible emergency," the official said.

An ice-rock landslide blocked a river near Nepal's border with China, triggering a flash flood that devastated the Himalayan nation and left at least 547 people dead.

The disaster, coupled with incessant rainfall, prompted authorities in both Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to intensify monitoring of rivers flowing downstream from Nepal.

"The water levels of several rivers, including the Ganga, Gandak, Kosi and Burhi Gandak, have been rising following continuous rainfall in their catchment areas in Nepal.

"The rivers have touched or crossed the danger level at several places in the bordering districts," a senior Water Resources Department official said.

According to the department's bulletin issued on Friday, the Gandak, Kosi, Ganga, Burhi Gandak and Ghaghra rivers were flowing above the danger mark at several locations in Bihar, while some had reached warning levels.

The Gandak had crossed the danger mark in Gopalganj, while the Kosi and Burhi Gandak had reached the danger level in Khagaria, Katihar and Kursela.

The Ganga was flowing above the danger mark at Digha, Hathidah and Gandhighat in Patna, as well as Kahlgaon in Bhagalpur. The Ghaghra had also crossed the danger mark at Darauli in Siwan district, the bulletin said.

Also Read: Nepal’s mountain tsunami: The 200-km trail of water, rock and destruction

Authorities have begun moving people from low-lying areas to safer locations, while all concerned departments have been placed on alert.

"District Magistrates have been directed to personally monitor the situation. Flood Control Department officials and engineers are camping at vulnerable sites in Bhagalpur, Purnea, Katihar, West Champaran and other districts", the official said.

The National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force have also been kept on standby at selected locations as authorities prepare for any further deterioration in the situation.

Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source
Add Now!

(You can now subscribe to our WhatsApp channel)

(You can now subscribe to our WhatsApp channel)

Read More News on
Bihar floodsNepal rainsGanga riverGandak riverKosi riverBurhi Gandak riverflash floodsNational Disaster Response Force

Enter search text:

Continue reading with one of these options:
Limited Access
Free
Login to get access to some exclusive stories

& personalised newsletters
Login Now

Unlimited Access
Starting @ Rs120/month
Get access to exclusive stories, expert opinions &

in-depth stock reports
Subscribe Now

Unlock Access to All Exclusives with ETPrime FREE TRIAL

15 Days Free: Unlock All ETPrime Exclusives, Market Tools & ePapers

Trial offer expiring in00 : 05 : 00

I'd rather pay ₹2599 now

Uh-oh! This is an exclusive story available for selected readers only.

Worry not. You’re just a step away.

Prime Account Detected!

It seems like you're already an ETPrime member with

Log out of your current logged-in account and log in again using your ET Prime credentials to enjoy all member benefits.

Unlock ETPrime's Exclusive Stories Today!

Subscribe to gain powerful insights on business, stock market and industry trends.

Big Price Drop! Flat 40% Off

Student Only Offer

Already a Member? Sign In now

Already a Member? Sign In now
Already a Member? Sign In now

Offer Exclusively For You

Save up to Rs. 700/-

ON ET PRIME MEMBERSHIP

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get 1 Year Free

With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get 1 Year Free

With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get Flat 40% Off

Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

ET Prime at ₹ 49 for 1 month

Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year

Avail Offer

Special Offer

Get flat 40% off on ETPrime

Avail Offer
Avail Offer

Claim NowAlready a Member? Sign In now

Need Assistance?

Connect with an ETPrime expert for personalized support and guidance

+91 9484700004

' + h3 + '

' + h4 + '

' + listing + '

What’s Included with

ETPrime Membership

1Exclusive Insights That Matter

Uncover the truth with our investigative stories

Make strategic moves using the real-world case studies

Read industry-specific stories to identify emerging trends

Spot opportunities with in-depth insights that matter

Trump temper on H-1B visas is forcing Indians to do these things to stay put in US

What Adani’s US indictment means for India Inc’s overseas fundraising
Why veterans like Reliance, L&T are on acquisition spree? Aswath Damodaran has an answer.

Will China’s dollar bond sale in Saudi Arabia trump the US in financial world?
Huawei launches its own OS to compete with Google and Apple. But can it win beyond China?

The problem with lab grown diamonds
Why a falling rupee is a better option for the economy

A list of top 20 momentum stocks that have delivered massive returns in one year