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

Against the backdrop of the devastating flash flood in Nepal, which has left hundreds dead and many more missing, the Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Resources Department of Bihar on Tuesday (September 1, 2026) issued a public advisory cautioning against the consumption of “unfamiliar and unusual” fish caught from the flood waters flowing into the State’s rivers from Nepal.

In recent days, people living in East and West Champaran districts, Gopalganj, Bagaha, and Saran have reported catching “strange-looking” large fish. Some of them said they had taken ill after having consumed them “inadvertently”. Some fishermen have claimed to have seen decomposing human and animal carcasses in the flood waters.

Nepal flash floods aftermath LIVE updates – September 1, 2026

A comprehensive advisory against catching, consuming, buying or selling unfamiliar fish had been issued to “avoid any contamination”, Bihar Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Resources Minister Nand Kishor Ram said.

“People should not consume any unfamiliar or unusual fish from the flood waters of Nepal. Such fish should not be bought or sold in the market…We have also received information that some people have fallen ill after consuming this fish,” the Bihar government’s advisory said.

“During the flash flood in Nepal, river fish may have come into contact with sewage, dead animals, and other contaminated substances, increasing the risk of contamination by bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Consumption of such fish might be harmful to health,” the advisory added.

“If symptoms, including vomiting, severe diarrhoea, dizziness, vertigo, stomach pain, difficulty in breathing, or any other unusual reaction is visible after consuming such fish, contact the nearest health centre or hospital immediately to receive medical advice,” the advisory said.

The Gandak (Narayani in Nepal), Ganga, and Kosi rivers and their tributaries have swelled to touch the danger mark in several places in Bihar, especially in the districts bordering Nepal. Fishermen in Saharsha, Gopalganj, and Bagaha have reported catching giant, dolphin-like fish.

“Some strange and unusual fish have been seen in the strong current in Bihar’s rivers after the flash flood in Nepal. We see such fish very rarely in our normal catch. Most of them die after they are caught,” Chhatu Sahani, a fisherman at the Mangalpur ghat in the border district of Gopalganj said.

“These days, we are catching fish weighing 27-38 kilos, even 40-45 kilos…They are Nepali fish like barali (wallago catfish; Barilius barila), goita (goonch catfish; Bagarius yarrelli) and rohu (Labeo rohita) among other species,” Vinod Nishad, a fisherman in Saharsha, said.

“When unfamiliar and unknown fish are caught, or any information is received about them, the concerned district fisheries official or local administration must be contacted immediately,” the government advisory said, adding, “Without identity or confirmation by the concerned department, no unfamiliar or unusual fish should be consumed.”