Gopalganj, Aug 30: Human bodies and animal carcasses were reportedly swept into Bihar’s Gandak River following devastating floods in Nepal, triggering panic among residents in riverside areas of Gopalganj.
The rising water level and strong currents of the Gandak have reportedly carried human bodies and remains of cattle downstream, with locals claiming to have spotted at least three human bodies and several animal carcasses in a single day.
Large crowds gathered near the Yadpur-Mangalpur bridge as people watched bodies being carried rapidly by the river’s strong current. Some residents stood on the bridge while others gathered along the riverbank.
Locals suspect that the bodies may belong to people and animals caught in the floods in Nepal and subsequently swept downstream by the Gandak. However, there has been no official confirmation so far regarding the number or identities of the human bodies.
Residents have urged the district administration to retrieve the bodies and initiate the identification process, saying it could help families searching for relatives who went missing during the Nepal floods.
“If these bodies are correctly identified, families who have lost loved ones or are searching for missing people in the Nepal tragedy will be able to get accurate information. This is also our duty as a human being,” local resident Sanjeet Kumar said, according to ETV Bharat.
The presence of human remains and animal carcasses in the river has also raised concerns over a potential disease outbreak in riverside communities. Residents said the strong current was carrying the bodies forward rapidly, preventing them from remaining in one place.
Carcasses reportedly include wild boar, buffalo and other cattle, adding to concerns among people living close to the river.
Amid the situation, the district administration has placed the area on high alert. Police and disaster management teams are monitoring the river and surrounding areas.
As a precautionary measure, boating and fishing have been banned in the Gandak River, with authorities citing the extremely strong current and the risk of boats capsizing and causing further casualties.
The administration is yet to officially establish the origin and identity of the bodies reportedly seen in the river, while residents continue to seek their recovery and identification.
