India, Aug. 19 -- August 18 marked 18 years since the Kosi river breached its eastern embankment at Kushaha in Nepal, flooding large parts of north Bihar.

The 2008 disaster affected around four million people in Bihar, killed 493 people and destroyed more than 236,000 houses, according to official records.

Campaign groups say many affected families are still waiting for full relief, compensation and rehabilitation despite official promises and World Bank-funded recovery projects.

Survivors and local organisations say the disaster exposed the false sense of security created by embankments and the need for stronger accountability in Kosi flood management.

August 18, 2026 marked 18 years since the Kushaha tragedy, one of the most devasta...