Nepal floods leave 450+ dead, stoke Kosi fears in Bihar
After devastating flash floods hit the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, leaving more than 450 people dead and more than 1,000 missing, concerns have been raised in neighboring Indian states, especially Bihar.
The state shares rivers with Nepal and faces a recurring flood risk during the monsoon season, but it's the Kosi River that has folks most concerned.
Known for its unpredictable behavior (remember the 2008 flood that affected more than two million people across Bihar?), Kosi has a long history of causing trouble.
Kosi sediment raises riverbed, threatening Bihar
The Kosi brings down huge amounts of sediment from the Himalayas, which raises its riverbed and makes sudden course changes more likely.
Even with embankments built decades ago to keep it in check, heavy rains, landslides, and glacial lake bursts during monsoon season still make managing this river a major headache for Bihar.
Bottom line: despite all efforts, flooding from the Kosi remains a real threat for people living nearby.