NEW DELHI, Aug 26: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday spoke with Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to review the situation arising from devastating flash floods in Nepal and the possibility of rising river levels in the two neighbouring states.
Shah expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the disaster and said the Central government stood firmly with Nepal during the crisis.
“The devastation caused by the floods in Nepal is extremely heartbreaking,” Shah said in a post on X.
He said he had discussed the situation with the chief ministers of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and assured that necessary preparedness measures were being taken in areas that could be affected.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been placed on high alert, while local administrations and relief and rescue teams in border areas have also been asked to remain prepared.
Officials said the flooding in Nepal could lead to a rise in water levels in rivers flowing through parts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, prompting authorities to closely monitor the situation.
At least 72 people were killed and nearly 500 others, including 133 Indians, were reported missing after a powerful flash flood originating in Tibet swept through parts of central Nepal on Wednesday.
The disaster caused extensive damage to towns and villages, destroyed bridges and affected at least a dozen hydropower projects.
According to officials, the flood entered the Bhote Koshi River around 9 am local time and severely affected Rasuwa and Dhading districts along the Tibet border.
Rasuwa, located close to the Tibet frontier, lies around 125 km northeast of Kathmandu. Floodwaters subsequently spread towards Nuwakot and Chitawan, damaging at least four permanent bridges and several temporary structures.
Authorities in the neighbouring Indian states are maintaining heightened vigilance amid concerns that the increased water flow could affect downstream areas.