The Gandak river has recorded an all-time high water level of 91.25 metres at the Bagaha gauge in Bihar, setting off a flood emergency in the region.

The Champaran embankment on the river's left bank was damaged at two spots in West Champaran, at Khairatwa in Bagaha and Fuliyakhad in Bairiya, during the night of 28-29 September. An embankment in UP's Kushinagar district was also damaged.

Officials said 169 spots hit by seepage or piping have been secured so far. Four engineering teams were rushed overnight to Bagaha, Bettiah, Motihari and Gopalganj.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked officials to move affected villagers to safety and deploy NDRF and SDRF teams. Water levels are receding upstream but rising downstream, officials said.

Relief camps with food and medical aid are being set up in affected blocks. The water resources department said embankment repairs will begin as soon as water levels allow.