UP, Bihar, Uttarakhand evacuate people as Nepal floods kill 160

Authorities in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Uttarakhand have stepped up preparedness and begun evacuating people from vulnerable areas after a flash flood in Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River killed at least 160 people and left hundreds of tourists, including 133 Indians, missing.

The flooding in Nepal’s Rasuwa district has raised concerns about rising water levels in rivers flowing into India. Flash floods in the Himalayan region, triggered by factors including earthquakes and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), are relatively common. An ICIMOD analysis published in February 2025 recorded at least 1,015 flood events in the higher Himalayan region across Nepal, India and China since 1950.

The flood site, around 200 km north of the Indian border, could lead to increased flows in rivers such as the Gandak in Uttar Pradesh and northern Bihar. The Trishuli River, which receives much of the Bhote Koshi’s flow from Tibet, eventually feeds into the Gandak. Heavy rain and the opening of barrages in Nepal could also increase flows in the Ghaghara and Rapti rivers in Uttar Pradesh and the Kosi in Bihar.

In Bihar, authorities ordered evacuations from low-lying areas in five districts — West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Supaul and Muzaffarpur — amid expectations of a significant increase in water flow.

The discharge from the Valmikinagar barrage stood at 106,000 cusecs at 5 pm and could rise to 300,000 cusecs by Thursday morning, officials said. All 36 gates of the barrage, which has a designed capacity of 850,000 cusecs, were opened in phases as a precaution.

West Champaran District Magistrate Taranjot Singh said field teams had been activated after rising water levels were reported at Devghat in Nepal, around 80 km from Valmikinagar. The water level at the Narayani River gauge at Devghat stood at 4.77 metres, below the warning level of 7.30 metres and the danger mark of 9 metres.

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said authorities were closely monitoring the Gandak and had formed a committee headed by the chief secretary and police chief to assess the situation. He said he would visit Valmikinagar if necessary.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, who holds the water resources portfolio, said the next five hours would be critical and urged residents to remain alert and calm, assuring them that the administration was prepared.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah later spoke to Choudhary about the situation and assured Bihar of all possible assistance from the Centre, officials said.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were also being mobilised. In Gopalganj, a 30-member NDRF team and a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team were stationed at Chawahi, where families in low-lying areas were being evacuated.

Officials said the Valmikinagar barrage could receive around 300,000 cusecs of water within five to six hours. As a precaution, its 36 gates were being opened in phases, while water supply into canals was being reduced.

Uttar Pradesh has issued alerts in Maharajganj and Kushinagar districts bordering Nepal. Uttarakhand authorities have also briefed officials in border districts, including Chamoli, about the flood situation.