India and Nepal hold meeting in Kathmandu on flood forecasting model ahead of monsoon

By  News On Air   May 02, 2026

The 11th meeting of the Joint Committee on the Kosi and Gandak Projects began in Kathmandu on April 30 and continues through today. Officials from both countries are taking part in detailed discussions covering long-standing technical and administrative matters related to the Kosi and Gandak projects. Our correspondent in Kathmandu reports that the meeting reflects ongoing cooperation and coordination between the two sides on these key cross-border initiatives.

The 11th meeting of the Joint Committee of Kosi and Gandaki Project has taken important decisions on flood control, embankment maintenance, irrigation management, erosion protection, and cross-border water issues. The Indian delegation was led by Bihar Water Resources Principal Secretary Shri Santosh Kumar Malla, while Nepal was represented by Water Resources Director General Shri Mitra Baral Nekia. 9th meeting took place in November 2018 in Kathmandu and 10th meeting was organised in April 2022 in Patna. At the meeting, the Nepalese delegation agreed to remove encroachments from key Kosi and Gandak project areas, including canals, barrage zones, and embankments, to ensure smooth operation and maintenance. Before the onset of 2026 floods in the Koshi region in the Virpur area, both sides agreed upon use of materials such as sand, soil, and silt for erosion control work.

It was also agreed that the demarcation of leased land under the Koshi Project would be completed within a timeframe using GPS technology and physically on site. The Nepali side assured to remove the obstruction to the normal operation of the Koshi Barrage due to activities like logging, fishing and others by local citizens, during the flood season when the water flow of the Koshi River is high. India agreed to inspect and address drainage and waterlogging issues in canal command areas of Western Koshi Main Canal and Valmikinagar Gandak barrage in Nepal. The Nepalese side requested the regular provision of a list of works being carried out in the Nepal Division. The Indian side agreed to this and will also provide it to them via email. The Indian side also agreed to provide satellite imagery as requested by the Nepalese side.