Nepal Flash Floods: Maharajganj, Kushinagar districts on high alert in UP

The districts of Maharajganj and Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh remain on high alert following a devastating flash flood that swept across Nepal on Wednesday. Officials are closely monitoring the water levels of rivers originating from the Himalayas, particularly the Gandak, in anticipation of potential flooding. Three bodies were recovered from the Gandak river in Maharajganj on Thursday, believed to have been swept downstream from Nepal.

A rescue team from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) used a motorboat to retrieve the bodies and transport them to the district headquarters mortuary. Their identities have yet to be confirmed, and officials are in coordination with Nepali authorities to trace their relatives. Additional police and revenue department personnel have been deployed in riverine areas to facilitate immediate evacuations if the situation worsens.

District Magistrate Mahendra Singh Tanwar and Superintendent of Police Keshav Kumar inspected vulnerable villages along the Gandak river in Kushinagar. Residents have been advised to avoid the river and low-lying areas, remaining vigilant to official advisories. The Uttar Pradesh government has prioritized the safe evacuation of stranded Indian citizens from Nepal and ensuring vulnerable border villages receive timely relief and rescue assistance.

Drinking water, mobile toilets, and other essential facilities are being arranged as a precautionary measure. The administration has also deployed one SDRF platoon with 32 personnel and 22 personnel from the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) to Nepal to assist in relief efforts. An aluminium boat and four rubber boats are being sent for rescue operations, with additional personnel and resources on standby if needed.

A dedicated helpline, 1070, has been activated for relatives seeking information or assistance regarding Indian residents stranded in Nepal. Nearly 300 Indian tourists are among those reported missing in Nepal. The Indian government has deployed the National Disaster Response Force in Nepal to aid in the search for missing persons.