Bihar Warns: Flood-Borne Fish From Nepal Are Unsafe

Bihar authorities are urging residents to avoid catching, selling, or consuming fish swept into the state from Nepal due to flash floods. Water from Nepal's Trishuli River, flowing through the Gandak and Kosi rivers, has brought unfamiliar fish species into Bihar. The Animal and Fisheries Resources Department cautions that these fish may be contaminated with sewage, bacteria, and viruses, advising against their consumption until river conditions stabilize.

The floodwaters are not only carrying fish but also a significant amount of debris, including wreckage from damaged infrastructure in Nepal, vehicles, and household items. The presence of human and animal remains in the water poses a severe risk of infection. Health experts warn that contaminated floodwater mixing with drinking sources could lead to outbreaks of diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A, and E.

Further compounding the health crisis, stagnant water is expected to foster mosquito breeding, increasing the risk of dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. Many border districts already contend with high levels of arsenic and iron in their groundwater, with floodwaters threatening to worsen this contamination. The agricultural sector is also at risk, potentially leading to grain and vegetable shortages.