Administrations in the northern Uttar Pradesh districts of Maharajganj and Kushinagar have sounded a high alert and intensified monitoring of rivers, particularly the Gandak, which flow downstream from Nepal. This precautionary measure follows devastating flash floods in the neighboring country that have resulted in significant casualties and a large number of missing persons, including Indian tourists.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the Uttar Pradesh administration, sharing a northern border with Nepal, is prioritizing continuous river monitoring, alerting vulnerable villages, and ensuring relief and rescue teams are prepared for any potential flooding scenarios arising from the natural disaster in Nepal.
The severe floods in Nepal were reportedly triggered by an ice-rock landslide that obstructed a river near the Nepal-China border. Nepal’s disaster management authorities have reported that approximately 826 people are missing, with Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal indicating that nearly 300 Indian tourists are among those unaccounted for. The floods have caused widespread damage to infrastructure, including bridges and roads, leading to the blockage of several major highways.
In Maharajganj district, senior officials, including Additional District Magistrate Prashant Kumar, have been stationed in areas identified as vulnerable to riverine flooding. Their mandate includes closely observing the water levels and flow of rivers such as the Gandak, Darjaniya, Tail Fall, and other water channels receiving discharge from Nepal. These officials are tasked with ensuring that relief and rescue operations can commence immediately should there be a sudden increase in water levels. Villages situated along riverbanks and in low-lying areas are under constant surveillance, with contingency plans in place for the evacuation of residents if the situation necessitates.
Mr. Kumar stated that the district administration is fully prepared and that water levels and river flows are under continuous monitoring. He urged the public to exercise caution by avoiding unnecessary proximity to rivers, adhering strictly to official advisories, and disregarding any unsubstantiated rumors.
Similarly, in the adjacent Kushinagar district, authorities have also escalated preparedness efforts in response to the rising water levels of the Gandak River, which is locally known as the Narayani. District Magistrate Mahendra Singh Tanwar, in the company of Superintendent of Police Keshav Kumar, conducted inspections of vulnerable riverside villages and the Valmikinagar barrage. Residents were advised to remain vigilant and to stay clear of the river and adjacent low-lying areas.
Particular attention is being given to villages located in sandy tracts across the river, which are home to substantial populations and livestock. Officials have confirmed that arrangements are being made to relocate individuals to safer grounds if water levels experience a sharp increase. The Valmikinagar barrage in Bihar, which is critical for managing water flow, is being closely observed, with all 36 of its gates reportedly opened. According to the district administration, the discharge rate at the barrage increased from approximately 1.04 lakh cusecs at 8 PM to 1.36 lakh cusecs by 9:30 PM and further to 1.42 lakh cusecs at 10 PM.
Authorities are monitoring the pressure on vulnerable sections of the Narwa Jot AP embankment, specifically between kilometers 3 and 4, at the spur located at 10.518 km, and between kilometers 13 and 14.5 km. A State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team, equipped with rescue apparatus, has been deployed and placed on standby. Police personnel across several police station areas, including Khadda, Hanumanganj, Tarayasu Jan, and Sevarahi, have also been alerted. Two platoons of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) have been deployed, with a request for two additional platoons submitted.
To ensure timely dissemination of information, the administration has directed officials to utilize loudspeakers to alert residents in vulnerable villages. As a precautionary measure, essential supplies such as drinking water and mobile toilets are also being arranged. In a separate development, yajnas and prayers were conducted in Vrindavan for the safety of those affected by the Nepal floods and for the repose of the souls of the deceased, with these religious observances scheduled to continue until the situation stabilizes.
The Chenab Times News Desk