Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Thursday visited the Gandak River and conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas along the state’s border with Nepal as authorities remained on high alert following the devastating flash floods in the neighbouring country. The Chief Minister reviewed preparedness and precautionary measures in areas including Bagaha, Valmiki Nagar, Bettiah and Motihari. 

The survey came amid concerns over the impact of floodwaters entering the Gandak river system from Nepal. Bihar authorities have been closely monitoring river levels and the Valmikinagar Gandak Barrage, while disaster-response arrangements have been strengthened in vulnerable districts. 

CM Reviews Border Areas

During the aerial survey, Choudhary assessed the situation in the border areas of Bagaha, Valmiki Nagar, Bettiah and Motihari. He also reviewed administrative preparations aimed at dealing with any potential impact of the Nepal floods.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister said the review covered precautionary measures, safety arrangements and relief and rescue preparedness. He directed officials to take all necessary steps with complete readiness, stressing that the safety of people in flood-prone areas remained the priority. 

Gandak Water Flow Monitored

The Gandak has become a key focus for Bihar after floodwaters from Nepal entered the river system and reached the Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar in West Champaran.

Authorities opened all 36 gates of the barrage to manage the increased inflow. The discharge reached around 1.50 lakh cusecs at 11 pm on Wednesday before beginning to decline on Thursday morning. The Water Resources Department said the discharge had fallen to around 1.04 lakh cusecs by Thursday morning. 

The receding trend offered some relief to residents in low-lying parts of northern Bihar, although officials continued to monitor the river system closely.

Districts Remain on Alert

The Nepal disaster prompted Bihar to strengthen its preparedness across districts connected to the Gandak and other river systems. High alerts were issued in several northern districts, including West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Madhubani, Supaul and Khagaria. 

The administration has been instructed to maintain vigilance and ensure that emergency response teams and essential supplies are available if conditions deteriorate.

Earlier, Choudhary had directed officials to maintain round-the-clock monitoring of vulnerable areas and ensure continuous vigilance along dams and embankments as the situation in Nepal developed. 

NDRF, SDRF Prepared

Disaster-response agencies have also been kept ready as a precaution. NDRF teams have been deployed in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, while state agencies are monitoring vulnerable locations and river levels.

The Centre has also been coordinating with the two states. Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with the Chief Ministers of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and assured them of central assistance in dealing with any downstream impact from the Nepal floods. 

Nepal Disaster Raises Concern

The precautions in Bihar follow a catastrophic flash flood in Nepal that caused extensive destruction near the Nepal-Tibet border. The disaster affected the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems, damaging settlements, bridges and infrastructure and leaving hundreds of people dead or missing. 

The river connection between Nepal and northern India makes developments upstream important for Bihar. The Narayani River in Nepal becomes the Gandak after entering India and flows through parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, making sudden changes in upstream water levels a significant concern during extreme weather events. 

For Bihar, the immediate focus remains on monitoring the Gandak, protecting communities in vulnerable areas and ensuring that relief and rescue resources can be deployed quickly if required. While the river showed signs of receding on Thursday, authorities continued to maintain heightened vigilance along the Nepal border.