Patna: Unseasonal rainfall in neighbouring Nepal has triggered sudden flooding in parts of Kishanganj district in Bihar, where the swelling Kankai river has washed away several temporary bamboo bridges and cut off multiple villages near the India–Nepal border.
Officials said water levels in the Kankai and Budhi Kankai rivers rose sharply following heavy rainfall that began in Nepal on Thursday evening. The surge disrupted daily life in several areas of the Dighalbank block, with residents reporting damage to temporary river crossings used for transport and access to nearby towns.
Strong currents swept away bamboo bridges located at Palsa, Mandirtola and Balwadangi in Singhimari panchayat, as well as a crossing at Kanchanbari Ghat in Lohagara panchayat.
With the bridges destroyed, several villages situated across the river have effectively become isolated. According to residents, at least half a dozen villages—including Palsa, Mandirtola, Dakupara, Baijnath Tola and Taltola—have been cut off from the mainland.
Villagers said the disruption has made movement difficult and is affecting access to schools, healthcare facilities and essential supplies. Children are unable to travel to schools, while patients requiring treatment face challenges in reaching medical centres.
The rising water levels have also affected infrastructure projects near the India–Nepal border. Construction work on a bridge and connecting road at Kanchanbari Ghat has been halted after the temporary diversion route built by the construction agency was damaged by the strong current.
According to officials associated with the project, the river water overflowed the diversion route, forcing a suspension of construction activities.
Local residents said the diversion route has been damaged several times in the past due to rainfall in Nepal. In October and November last year, similar flooding washed away the temporary route twice, delaying construction work for months.
Project manager Ravish Kumar told reporters several machines and construction materials, including iron rods, cement and sand, have been damaged due to the sudden rise in water levels.
He added that even if the situation improves quickly, it could take at least two weeks for the construction work to resume.
The Seemanchal region, including Kishanganj, has also witnessed intermittent storms and rainfall over the past 24 hours, further complicating conditions in the border areas.
