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

In opposition to the backdrop of the devastating flash flood in Nepal, which has left tons of lifeless and lots of extra lacking, the Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Sources Division of Bihar on Tuesday (September 1, 2026) issued a public advisory cautioning towards the consumption of “unfamiliar and weird” fish caught from the flood waters flowing into the State’s rivers from Nepal.

In latest days, individuals dwelling in East and West Champaran districts, Gopalganj, Bagaha, and Saran have reported catching “strange-looking” giant fish. A few of them stated that they had taken sick after having consumed them “inadvertently”. Some fishermen have claimed to have seen decomposing human and animal carcasses within the flood waters.

Nepal flash floods aftermath LIVE updates – September 1, 2026

A complete advisory towards catching, consuming, shopping for or promoting unfamiliar fish had been issued to “keep away from any contamination”, Bihar Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Sources Minister Nand Kishor Ram stated.

“Individuals shouldn’t devour any unfamiliar or uncommon fish from the flood waters of Nepal. Such fish shouldn’t be purchased or offered available in the market…We now have additionally obtained data that some individuals have fallen sick after consuming this fish,” the Bihar authorities’s advisory stated.

“In the course of the flash flood in Nepal, river fish could have come into contact with sewage, lifeless animals, and different contaminated substances, rising the chance of contamination by micro organism, viruses, and different pathogens. Consumption of such fish is likely to be dangerous to well being,” the advisory added.

“If signs, together with vomiting, extreme diarrhoea, dizziness, vertigo, abdomen ache, issue in respiratory, or some other uncommon response is seen after consuming such fish, contact the closest well being centre or hospital instantly to obtain medical recommendation,” the advisory stated.

The Gandak (Narayani in Nepal), Ganga, and Kosi rivers and their tributaries have swelled to the touch the hazard mark in a number of locations in Bihar, particularly within the districts bordering Nepal. Fishermen in Saharsha, Gopalganj, and Bagaha have reported catching big, dolphin-like fish.

“Some unusual and weird fish have been seen within the robust present in Bihar’s rivers after the flash flood in Nepal. We see such fish very not often in our regular catch. Most of them die after they’re caught,” Chhatu Sahani, a fisherman on the Mangalpur ghat within the border district of Gopalganj stated.

“Lately, we’re catching fish weighing 27-38 kilos, even 40-45 kilos…They’re Nepali fish like barali (wallago catfish; Barilius barila), goita (goonch catfish; Bagarius yarrelli) and rohu (Labeo rohita) amongst different species,” Vinod Nishad, a fisherman in Saharsha, stated.

“When unfamiliar and unknown fish are caught, or any data is obtained about them, the involved district fisheries official or native administration have to be contacted instantly,” the federal government advisory stated, including, “With out identification or affirmation by the involved division, no unfamiliar or uncommon fish needs to be consumed.”