Authorities Mobilize Rescue Teams Ahead of Possible 3‑Metre Gandak Surge

Patna – Anticipating a sudden rise of up to three metres in the Gandak River, Bihar’s disaster management machinery has placed several riverside districts under a high flood alert. The alert follows a flash‑flood advisory issued from Nepal’s upper catchment area.

A senior review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Pratyay Amrit convened on Wednesday via video link, bringing together district magistrates, senior police officers and superintendents. The forum evaluated the cross‑border flood scenario and its likely impact on Bihar’s flood‑prone districts.

Key directives included completing evacuation plans, pre‑positioning relief kits, and establishing community kitchens to ensure swift relocation of residents to safe zones. West Champaran (Betia), East Champaran (Motihari), Gopalganj, Saran, Muzaffarpur and Vaishali were singled out for intensified monitoring, while Sitamarhi, Shivhar and other vulnerable districts were instructed to keep continuous watch.

The state has already dispatched additional emergency resources. One NDRF team is heading to Gopalganj, another remains on standby in Muzaffarpur, and a third unit will be positioned in Betia within two hours. Border Security Force Deputy Inspector General Sanjay Singhal confirmed that quick‑reaction teams will be on call for Betia if required.

District officials must regularly inspect river levels, embankments, low‑lying zones, bridges and other critical infrastructure, reporting any signs of stress immediately. The Water Resources Department has been asked to ensure safe operation of the Gandak‑Bairaj canal network.

Risk assessment highlights Rasuwa, Nuwa Kot, Dhading, Gorkha, Lamjung and Tanahun in Nepal as high‑risk zones, while Dolkha and Sindhupalchok in the Koshi basin are also considered vulnerable. The government urged calm, advising residents in sensitive areas to stay alert and follow official instructions.