Flood Alert in North India: Rivers Swell in UP and Bihar, Villages Submerged

The flood crisis in Bihar has deepened as rising water levels in the Ganges submerge multiple villages and key access roads across the Raghopur Diara belt in Vaishali district, forcing residents to evacuate to safer locations. An aerial survey of the Bhagalpur and Naugachia regions was conducted to review relief and rescue operations, with instructions issued to officials to ensure prompt assistance and prevent inconvenience to affected people. While the administration remains on alert to safeguard residential areas and monitor water flow from major rivers, criticism has been raised over the adequacy of safety, relief, and rescue arrangements across the flood-hit regions.

In Nepal, rescue operations following devastating floods have led to multiple miraculous rescues. A 60-year-old woman was pulled alive from the fourth floor of a buried building in Betrawati after spending 11 days trapped under mud and debris. The Armed Police Force located her using sniffer dogs, and she was subsequently transported to Kathmandu for medical care. Additionally, rescue workers at the Upper Trishuli 1 hydropower project site rescued a Chinese national from the Audit 4 tunnel, marking three survivors pulled from critical tunnel areas within two days. International tunnelling experts, alongside the Nepalese Army, police, and scouts, have joined the search efforts equipped with specialized machinery. Official records indicate that over 1,300 people have died, while approximately 5,000 individuals remain missing across worst-affected areas including Betrawati, Dhunge, and Bhattar, where structures were submerged under heavy mud flows.

Catastrophic flash floods in Nepal have claimed more than 1,300 lives, with over 5,000 people still reported missing following severe destruction across Rasuwa and downstream areas along the Mansarovar pilgrimage route. Aerial visuals reveal entire villages, homes, and roads swallowed by heavy debris and floodwaters. Ground rescue operations face severe challenges due to damaged road networks, adverse weather, and contaminated water supplies. Multi-national emergency teams, including the Nepalese Army, Indian Army, NDRF, and personnel from China, Australia, Korea, and the US, are conducting rescue and relief operations. Recent rescue efforts pulled survivors from the Trishuli hydro project tunnel, alongside a 64-year-old woman trapped under muck on a fourth floor in Bhadravati. Forces are using air sorties, ropeways, and heavy cargo drones to deliver food, fuel, and medical supplies to isolated communities, while authorities establish DNA sample collection centres to help identify recovered bodies.

The flood situation in Bihar has worsened as the water level of the river Ganga continues to rise, submerging several villages in the Raghopur Diyara region of Vaishali district. Floodwaters have overtaken rural access roads, forcing hundreds of residents to abandon their homes and move to safer locations. Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav criticised the state government, stating that the situation in flood-affected regions is alarming and alleging inadequate arrangements for rescue, relief camps, boats, and drinking water. Meanwhile, authorities stated that the Chief Minister is personally monitoring the situation and conducting inspections to ensure necessary relief reaches affected families.