Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Aug 26: The Uttar Pradesh and Bihar governments have started taking precautionary measures in the areas bordering with Nepal to meet the possible impact of the massive flash floods that swept through two Nepal districts bordering Tibet killing at least 95 people while hundreds of others are missing.
The flash floods in the Bhote Koshi river, which originates in Tibet and empties into Nepal’s Trishuli river, which eventually flows into India as the Gandak River, have inflicted severe damage on Timure Bazaar and the customs area at the Rasuwa border crossing.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke with his Nepalese counterpart Balen Shah and conveyed his condolences over the loss of lives in the devastating floods in the neighbouring country. PM Modi also assured Shah of India’s full support, offering all possible humanitarian and relief assistance to help Nepal deal with the crisis.
In a post on X, PM Modi said the people of India stood in solidarity with Nepal during the difficult time and assured the country of all possible humanitarian assistance. He added that Indian teams were coordinating closely with Nepalese authorities on rescue and relief operations.
“Spoke to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods in Nepal. The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time. India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Our teams are coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts.”
India is preparing to send relief material to flood-hit Nepal on Indian Air Force aircraft, officials said. An emergency consignment containing medicines, rations and other essential supplies will be dispatched to the neighbouring country under the government’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) initiative.
The government is also considering deploying National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel to Nepal to assist with rescue and relief operations in the affected areas, officials said.
Indian Embassy in Nepal also provided Emergency Contact numbers.
“For assistance and information related to Indian nationals that have been affected by the flash floods in Nepal today, the following emergency numbers may be contacted: +977 985 131 6807 and +977 970 910 7500. Both emergency numbers can also be contacted through WhatsApp,” the Embassy said in a post on X.
The embassy further said it was in close coordination with the relevant Nepalese authorities to facilitate the early rescue and relief of Indian nationals affected by the flash floods that struck the country on Wednesday.
The embassy said rescue and relief operations were being strengthened in coordination with the Government of Nepal to assist those affected by the disaster. “The Embassy of India has remained engaged with the relevant authorities of the Government of Nepal for early rescue and relief for Indian nationals affected by the flash floods that took place in Nepal today. Rescue and relief efforts continue to be strengthened in coordination with the Government of Nepal,” it said.
As per the Advisory of the Central Water Commission (CWC) and media reports, a sudden rise in river water level in the Trishuli river at Furke Khola in Nepal, around 160 km from the Indian border, due to suspected GLOF activity near the Nepal–China border, has been reported. The flood wave is likely to travel downstream in the Gandak river.
Local authorities in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh near the India–Nepal border along the Gandak river have been advised to remain alert and maintain close monitoring of the situation. Keeping in view the anticipated floods in the Gandak river due to the flash flood incident in Nepal, NDRF is on high alert.
The Chief Minister of Bihar has taken stock of the situation, especially along the Gandak river. After assessment, 02 NDRF teams have been dispatched for deployment in West Champaran and Muzaffarpur. Total 09 teams are deployed in Bihar. The State Government of Bihar is closely monitoring the situation and, in case of requirement, additional NDRF teams will be deployed, NDRF IG Narendra Singh Bundela said.
The situation in Uttar Pradesh was also under close watch by the State Government. One additional NDRF team has been deployed in District Kushinagar, which is likely to be impacted due to its close vicinity to the Gandak river. Overall 11 teams are deployed in UP for Flood Warning and Response (FWR) operations. NDRF, in close coordination with the State Governments of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and the CWC, is keeping a close watch on the situation. Additional teams are on standby for emergent requirements in case of any unforeseen situation, official sources said.
Bihar was put on alert over the possibility of a sudden rise in the Gandak River’s water discharge following flash floods in several districts of neighbouring Nepal prompting the State authorities to open all 36 gates of a barrage on the river to help control the situation, officials said.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary convened a meeting with the Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit and other top officials to review the situation. All concerned have been directed to remain on “high alert”, take all necessary measures in a timely manner, and maintain continuous vigil over the situation, officials said.
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today also expressed concern over the flash floods in Nepal and directed the administrations of Maharajganj and Kushinagar districts to take all necessary measures to deal with any potential emergency. The floods could cause the water levels to surge in the Gandak and Narayani rivers in the neighbouring districts, an official statement said.