Disaster Management

The State Disaster Management Department said on 11 September that about 47.33 lakh people in 87 blocks of 15 districts — among them Patna, Bhojpur, Begusarai, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Khagaria, Buxar, Saran and Samastipur — had been affected. Discharge in the Gandak and Kosi was stable and the Sone was falling.

Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan chaired a review meeting with Himalayan States and Union Territories on 3 September on preparedness for Glacial Lake Outburst Floods and snow avalanches. He called for continuous surveillance of vulnerable glacial lakes and avalanche-prone regions and stronger early warning systems.

The death toll from the Bhote Koshi–Trishuli flash floods rose past 1,000 on 1 September and to 1,252 by 3 September. Two hydropower workers were pulled alive from a debris-buried tunnel on 4 September. India said 275 of its nationals were missing and 169 rescued from Tibet’s Gyirong crossing, used by Kailash Manasarovar pilgrims.

Flash floods in Nepal’s Bhote Koshi–Trishuli river system, set off by an ice-rock avalanche, killed 788 people by 30 August with about 2,500 still missing. Two fresh glacial lakes formed near the avalanche source, and a preliminary Chinese assessment pointed to the collapse of a high-altitude glacier. At least 320 Indians remained uncontactable and 400 were stranded; India sent aircraft with relief material and an expert panel.