High River

The Gandak river has swelled to a record high and breached embankments in Bihar's East and West Champaran districts, following heavy rains in Nepal. Several districts across Bihar and Uttar Pradesh now face a flood threat as water spills into villages and farmland. Relief and evacuation efforts are under way, and concern is growing over further breaches if upstream rain continues.

South West Water has been fined £8m after admitting hundreds of sewage spills in Cornwall and Devon. The penalty, reported by the Guardian, adds to mounting public anger over water companies discharging raw sewage into rivers and coastal waters, and is likely to renew debate about regulation, investment in infrastructure and the accountability of privatised water firms in England.