Full Breakdown
Gandak River Flash Flood Threatens Bihar and Uttar Pradesh
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Event Overview
Heavy, short-duration rainfall in the Nepalese catchment of the Gandak River basin triggered a flash flood that breached the Gandak embankment at Bagaha, placing downstream districts in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh on high alert as waters surged through the river system.
Background & Context
The Gandak River originates in Nepal and flows southward into Bihar, supplying water for agriculture and dense settlements. Seasonal monsoon rains regularly raise river levels, but the recent intense precipitation in Nepal caused a surge that overwhelmed existing flood-control infrastructure.
Data & Statistics
- The Water Resources Department recorded a discharge of 5,43,500 cusecs at the Valmikinagar Gandak Barrage at peak.
- The river maintained >500,000 cusecs for 13 hours and >400,000 cusecs for 32 hours.
- At Bagaha, water level reached 91.25 m, about 0.35 m higher than the 2024 high.
- Downstream releases were reported at 3,00,400 cusecs, 4.16–4.75 lakh cusecs, and a peak of 6.74 lakh cusecs from Devghat, Nepal.
- Approximately 3,000 people in four West Champaran villages were affected, many seeking shelter on higher ground or evacuating by boat.
Impact on Communities and Wildlife
Low-lying villages such as Chakdahwa, Bin Toli, Jhandahwa Tola, Kanha Toli and Rohua Tola were inundated, forcing temporary relocation. Floodwaters entered the Valmiki Tiger Reserve, raising concerns for herbivores (chital, sambar, barking deer, hog deer) and carnivores (tigers, leopards, bears). Forest officials said animals typically move to higher ground within the reserve, reducing the risk of mass migration into residential areas.
Official Statements & Responses
Engineers were placed on high alert to monitor both embankments. Relief actions included:
- Opening a community kitchen at Bherihari High School.
- Deploying State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams with boats across Bagaha-2, Madhubani block, and Bettiah subdivision.
- Repairing a cut in the Tirhut canal near Raska South village.
- Monitoring the Ganga River, reported below danger level from Buxar to Kahalgaon and capable of absorbing additional Gandak water.
On-the-Ground Reports
Local officials confirmed that all 36 gates of the Valmikinagar barrage were opened, with no emergency or maintenance closures. Residents voiced urgent needs for food and shelter, prompting authorities to arrange additional community kitchens and evacuation assistance.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact peak discharge:
- One report cites 5,43,500 cusecs at Valmikinagar.
- Another records a downstream release of 3,00,400 cusecs at 2 pm, while a third mentions a peak of 6.74 lakh cusecs from Devghat.
These variations reflect differing measurement points and timeframes, leaving the precise peak discharge unresolved.
Verbatim Quotes
“After the water level of the Gandak river rose, our village has been inundated for the third time. This time, the water level is the highest. Around 3,000 people from the four villages have been affected. Floodwaters have also entered the SSB camps at Jhandahwa Tola and Rohua Tola. If the water rises further, it will reach Bhedihari village, which is located close to the forest,” — Bin Toli