Flood alert in Bihar as landslide dams Nepal river

Five Bihar districts were put on flood alert on Monday over fears of a dramatic rise in the water level of the Gandak river, officials said.

Massive landslides caused by repeated earthquakes have blocked the Kali Gandaki river at Benibazar in Myagdi district of Nepal creating an artificial lake, officials said warning that the bursting of this lake may cause the water level in the Gandak river in Bihar to rise dramatically.

The alert has been sounded in East Champaran, West Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan and Saran districts.

"We have alerted the concerned district officials and asked them to make adequate preparations to meet any eventuality," said Bihar Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary.

The state disaster management department has asked officials to start evacuation of people living near the embankments of the Kosi river in the four districts.

Thousands of people living in the low-lying riverine area of Gandak face the immediate threat from the rising waters, officials said adding that there was no need to panic as the river blockade was far from the border.