Bihar suspends seven engineers over Gandak River flood negligence

The Bihar Water Resources Department has suspended seven engineers and initiated departmental proceedings against a chief engineer following allegations of negligence during the recent Gandak River flooding. The disciplinary action follows unprecedented water levels in the Gandak River, triggered by heavy rainfall in Nepal and Uttar Pradesh, which caused several embankments to breach.

Investigations revealed that certain officials failed to act promptly during emergencies, lacked sufficient staff and materials, and showed poor coordination with local residents and representatives. Among those suspended are executive engineers Santosh Kumar Prabhakar and Mohammad Sajid Iqbal, along with several assistant and junior engineers. Chief Engineer Kumar Manoj Gupta of Muzaffarpur is also facing departmental action regarding damages to the Champaran embankment.

While the river levels are now receding—with the water level at Rewa Ghat dropping 177 cm from its peak—the department continues to monitor the situation. In Lalganj, Vaishali, the water level remains 52 cm above the danger mark but is expected to fall below it within 24 hours. Emergency materials have been stockpiled at breach sites to secure damaged embankments.