Avoid ‘unfamiliar, unusual’ fish from Nepal’s flood waters, Bihar govt. advisory cautions - The Hindu

**Bihar Issues Health Advisory Over Fish From Nepal‑Origin Flood Waters**

Heavy monsoon rains have triggered unprecedented flooding in the Himalayan nation of Nepal, sending swollen rivers such as the Gandak and Kosi surging across the border into India’s eastern state of Bihar. The deluge, which has killed over 150 people and displaced more than 300,000 residents in Nepal, has also carried large quantities of sediment, sewage and agricultural runoff into the downstream floodplain. In response, Bihar’s Health Department released a formal advisory on Tuesday warning residents not to eat, purchase, or sell any fish caught in waters that have recently flowed in from the Nepalese flood zone.

The advisory, issued under the authority of State Health Minister Dr Ashok Kumar, cites the risk of water‑borne pathogens and possible contamination with heavy metals that can accumulate in fish tissue during flood conditions. “The flood waters are laden with untreated waste and chemicals, creating an unsafe environment for aquatic life and a public‑health hazard for consumers,” the department’s statement read. Officials have instructed local authorities to intensify testing of fish samples, temporarily halt wholesale fish market operations in affected districts such as Sitamarhi, Sheohar and West Champaran, and conduct awareness campaigns through radio, television and social‑media channels. The state has also mobilised additional health‑inspection teams to monitor compliance and to provide guidance to fishermen on safe handling practices.

Local traders and fishermen have expressed mixed reactions. While many acknowledge the health rationale, some fear a sharp drop in earnings, as fish constitute a staple protein source and a key livelihood for thousands of families in the region. Consumer groups, however, have welcomed the precaution, noting past incidents where flood‑related contamination led to outbreaks of gastro‑intestinal illnesses. Public‑health experts say the advisory underscores the need for coordinated cross‑border disaster management, recommending that Nepal and India share real‑time water‑quality data to better anticipate and mitigate such risks in future flood events.