FLOOD SITUATION WORSEN IN SHAHPUR

FLOOD SITUATION WORSEN IN SHAHPUR

3-SEP-ENG 12

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA------------------------The flood situation in the rural areas of Shahpur block is becoming increasingly critical due to the rising water level of the Ganges River and continuous rainfall over the past three days. Approximately 70 percent of the block has been affected by the floods. Floodwaters have entered more than 50 villages, while standing crops across thousands of acres have been submerged.

In many flood-affected areas, boats have become the only means of transportation. Water is flowing at depths of two to five feet over rural roads, disrupting the movement of people and causing significant hardship for the villagers. Road connectivity for Bahoranpur, Damodarpur, and Lakshutola panchayats has been disrupted as floodwaters have risen onto the road north of Gaura Bridge. Meanwhile, the link between Laludera Panchayat and the block headquarters has been severed due to water inundating the Ishwarpura-Laludera road. Floodwaters have now reached the vicinity of villages across almost all panchayats.

Floodwaters entered the low-lying areas of Shahpur Nagar Panchayat on Tuesday night. By Wednesday evening, water had inundated standing crops across hundreds of acres in the town's lower-lying sections, causing growing concern among farmers.

In view of the flood situation, the administration has—as a precautionary measure—tagged 23 schools in the affected area with other schools. Academic activities have been disrupted in several schools due to the ingress of floodwaters. The administration is making necessary arrangements regarding the affected schools.

As a precaution against the floods, the electricity department has cut off power supplies to several villages, further adding to the villagers' woes. Meanwhile, farmers fear a high risk of crop destruction in fields where floodwaters have entered.

The *Mukhiyas* (village heads) of Gaura, Sarna, Bharauli, Devmalpur, and Bariswan panchayats reported that floodwaters are steadily rising. They stated that villagers are facing difficulties because revenue officials have not yet reached the affected areas. They have demanded the provision of an adequate number of boats and polythene sheets for the affected families.

Continuous rainfall over the past three days has also increased the demand for tarpaulins among affected families. Panchayat representatives have urged the administration to ensure that essential relief materials reach the flood-affected people.

Circle Officer (CO) Anand Prakash stated that government boat services have been launched in several panchayats, including Bahoranpur and Lakshutola, as required. He added that a control room has been established at the Block-cum-Circle office to continuously monitor the flood situation.

Amid the escalating impact of the floods, the administration continues to monitor the situation in the affected panchayats. The needs of the people are being monitored through the operation of government boats and a control room. Meanwhile, villagers are demanding relief measures and transportation facilities amidst the continuously rising water levels.