- Fish carried into Bihar by floodwaters from Nepal may be unsafe to eat due to contamination
- Bihar's Animal and Fisheries Resources Department advises against selling, or consuming floodwater fish
- Floods have brought debris, dead animals, and contaminated water, increasing infection risks in Bihar
Fish carried into Bihar by floodwaters from Nepal could be dangerous to eat, the state government has warned, urging people not to catch, sell or consume them until conditions return to normal.
Following flash floods in Nepal, water from the Trishuli River has been flowing into Bihar via the Gandak and Kosi rivers, both major waterways in the northern part of the state. As river levels rise, unfamiliar types of fish have been turning up in flood-affected areas, and some people are said to have fallen ill after eating them.
The Animal and Fisheries Resources Department has advised people not to buy, sell or consume fish caught from floodwaters, saying such fish may carry sewage contamination, bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. Nepal police have also issued a similar warning for residents.
The advisory, issued by the Department of Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Resources in Bihar, states that during floods, fish move out of ponds, rivers, lakes and reservoirs and spread widely with the floodwater. It notes that continuous exposure to polluted drains, dead animals and other contaminants makes these fish unsafe to eat, and that people should avoid consuming fish caught from floodwaters until environmental conditions stabilise.
The department has made the following appeal to the public:
- Do not consume unknown or unusual-looking fish.
- Avoid buying, selling or consuming fish caught from floodwaters.
- Do not treat any unfamiliar fish as fit for consumption without checking with the concerned department.
- Seek immediate medical help at the nearest health centre if symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, dizziness or breathing difficulty appear after eating such fish.
- Report sightings of unusual fish to the local District Fisheries Officer or administration.
- Do not pay attention to rumours, and avoid consuming unknown fish for the sake of safety.
Floods In Nepal Bring More Than Just Fish
The Kosi and Gandak rivers, both fed by waters originating in Nepal, have swelled following the flash floods and are now carrying large amounts of debris along with dead fish. Landslides and glacial bursts in Nepal's hilly regions have washed down silt, mud, stones and large tree trunks.
Wreckage from collapsed bridges and damaged hydroelectric projects in Nepal, along with vehicles, household items and LPG cylinders from flooded villages, has also been seen floating into Bihar's rivers. Human and animal remains washed down from Nepal are adding to the risk of infection in the water.
Health experts warn that the mixing of contaminated floodwater with drinking water sources such as hand pumps and wells could lead to a rapid spread of diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera. The consumption of contaminated water and food also raises the risk of typhoid, while hepatitis A and E can infect the liver through contaminated water.
Read: The River Took It All: Aerial Visuals From Nepal Show Scale Of Catastrophe | NDTV Exclusive
Stagnant water and waterlogging are expected to encourage mosquito breeding, raising the risk of dengue, malaria and chikungunya, along with skin and eye infections.
The situation is complicated by the fact that groundwater in several districts bordering Nepal, including West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Kishanganj, Purnia and Araria, already contains arsenic levels exceeding the safe limit of 10 ppb (parts per billion). Arsenic levels are highest in districts along the banks of the Ganga, though notable concentrations have also been found in floodplains formed by rivers originating in Nepal.
High iron content has also been recorded in water across nearly all seven districts bordering Nepal, giving it an astringent taste and leaving red-yellow stains on utensils and clothing, with Kishanganj recording levels several times higher than normal. Officials say iron brought in by the floodwaters threatens to make local water sources even more contaminated.
The floodwaters are also expected to affect farmland across Bihar's border districts, raising concerns of a possible shortage of grains and vegetables in the state and adding to the difficulties faced by farmers.
Speaking to NDTV, Dr PV Singh of LNJP Hospital under the Bihar government said that to protect people from these health risks, the government needs to relocate residents of affected areas to safe locations in a timely manner. He described the diseases linked to this contaminated water as a serious threat to people's lives.
Authorities have urged residents in flood-hit districts to stay alert, avoid contact with floodwater where possible, and follow official guidance until river levels stabilise and the affected water bodies return to normal.
