Himalayan River Systems Pose Persistent Flood Risks to North India

Hydrologists from ICIMOD warn that India faces recurring flood risks from transboundary rivers originating in Nepal, including the Kosi, Gandak, Bagmati, and Ghaghara systems that drain into the Ganges.

Bihar remains the most vulnerable state with three-quarters of its northern region classified as flood-prone, while eastern Uttar Pradesh districts like Gorakhpur and Bahraich face significant threats from the Ghaghara and Rapti.

Experts note that while Nepal's rainfall determines peak flow at the border, the severity of flooding in India often depends on local infrastructure, such as the 2008 Kosi disaster caused by embankment failure.