Gorakhpur: The impact of the flash flood in Nepal’s Bhotekoshi river is being felt in northern UP, with water levels rising in the Gandak (Narayani) river and authorities issuing a high alert in Maharajganj and Kushinagar districts. Four people from Gorakhpur and neighbouring districts who were in Nepal are reported missing.According to district disaster specialist Gautam Gupta, the missing persons are Ashutosh Mani Upadhyay of Murari Garhwa village in Gorakhpur, who was working in Trishuli; Rajkumar Gautam of Sonauli in Maharajganj, who was in Kathmandu; Karan Sharma of Kaptanganj, Maharajganj, an electrician living in Trishuli for six years; and Ravish Kumar of Gorakhpur, who had been working in Trishuli for the past six months.Floodwaters from Nepal’s Rasuwa district are flowing through the Trishuli river into the Narayani, causing concern over a sharp rise in water levels downstream. Authorities fear the impact could be felt across nearly 40 km of Indian territory.As a precaution, all 36 gates of the Valmikinagar barrage have been opened, while the Gandak canal system has been shut due to the possibility of debris-laden water entering from Nepal. Officials expect discharge from the barrage to reach 2.5–3 lakh cusecs by late night.Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to remain fully prepared for any flood-related emergency and ensure all necessary preventive measures are in place.
