Bihar floods: Danapur villages cut off, locals seek boats and fodder

"No facilities available here": Locals in Bihar's Danapur facing cattle fodder shortage request for relief materials amid flood

Danapur, September 4

An elderly resident stated that all six panchayats remain completely submerged under rising floodwaters with no available transport. Urging the District Magistrate and the local MLA to arrange boat services, cattle fodder, and immediate relief materials, the villager added that the lack of connectivity has left trapped residents unable to reach local markets or transport patients to hospitals.

"All six panchayats are completely surrounded by floodwaters, and there are no facilities or arrangements available here. I urge the DM (District Magistrate) Sir to make a provision of cattle fodder in the area. There is no arrangement at all for us to go to the local market or anywhere else. Hence, I appeal to the DM Sir and the MLA to send relief materials here and arrange for boats so that we can conveniently transport patients or anyone else in need. There is not a single dry spot anywhere where we can even walk; no space is left empty. "The area is completely submerged and overflowing; it is not as though the water has stopped rising, as the water level is continuously increasing. Now, there is no mode of transport available, so we are just sitting helplessly inside our homes," an elderly resident told ANI.

With the Ganga flowing above the danger mark, the flood crisis has intensified across the riverine regions of Danapur block, including Manas, Hetanpur, Akilpur, Ganghara, Patlapur, and Kasmichak, causing immense hardship to residents. The surging waters have severely impacted two panchayats in Maner, along with six riverine panchayats situated along the Ganga, completely cutting off these areas from the town headquarters.

Additionally, the rising floodwaters have heavily inundated villages in Maner block, including Chhihatar, Mahavir Tola, Hathi Tola, Haldichhapra, Dudhaila, Rampur, and Islamganj. With cattle fodder completely submerged, livestock owners are facing an acute fodder crisis. Affected residents are relying entirely on private boats for transport, travelling through waterlogged stretches to visit town areas for essential supplies.

Due to the flooding, dozens of government schools in the riverine area have been temporarily closed, even as relief camps and community kitchens have been set up to provide free services.

Another resident lamented that stranded families have been left with no proper means to arrange medical treatment for the sick or ensure emergency care for pregnant women.

"You can see the current situation, we are standing and eating in the water. The overall situation is extremely terrifying..."We are left with no options or alternatives whatsoever anywhere. In an emergency involving medicines, treatment, or pregnant women, we have no proper way to arrange medical treatment for them. We simply have no options left. No assistance or facilities are being provided at the government level. So far, no arrangements have been made here," the resident told ANI.

One local resident highlighted that there is no transportation for her, demanding basic facilities and shelter from the government. She said that due to the flood like situation, she is going to migrate from the area."There is no mode of transport available to commute. My only demand from the government is to provide us with basic facilities and shelter so that we do not suffer... Yes, we are migrating from here," said local resident Binta Devi.

Inundating fresh areas, floodwaters from the Ganga entered Nakta Diyara in Patna's Digha Assembly constituency, worsening the plight of residents in the region.

Meanwhile, Danapur Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Virupaksh Vikram Singh stated that the administration has made arrangements for the provision of separate shelters for the safe housing of livestock during the emergency. Detailing rescue and medical logistics, the officer added that the administration has deployed 50 boats in Danapur and 40 in Maner.

He further mentioned that at least one boat operating in every panchayat is equipped with two nurses to handle emergency medical attention. He said that the flood-like situation ''arises every year", and there is atleast one boat being operated in each of the panchayats.

"A flood situation is arising. We received this information two days ago, and since that time, we have been fully on alert... Work has started as per the guidelines of the DM... We had already registered a sufficient number of boats beforehand because this situation arises every year. In Danapur, we have 50 boats and in Maner, 40 boats... One boat is being operated in every panchayat, in which 2 nurses have been provided for emergency medical attention..." Singh told ANI.

Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav stated that Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is closely monitoring the situation and is in constant touch with officials in the flood-affected areas.

"Large-scale flooding has occurred in many districts of Bihar, due to which people's daily lives have been disrupted. The Chief Minister is keeping an eye on the situation and is in contact with officials in the flood-affected areas. The flow of the water is increasing... Arrangements for boats and medicines have been made by the government for the flood victims. The government is working with promptness..." Yadav told ANI. The administration is on high alert, and all relevant departments have been instructed to maintain constant surveillance in the flood-affected areas. Local residents have also been urged to follow administrative guidelines and contact the nearest control room in case of an emergency.

— ANI