FOOD ON ROOFTOPS

FOOD ON ROOFTOPS

8-SEP-ENG 11

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-------------------------The rising water level of Ganga and Son rivers has caused severe devastation in Bhojpur, Begusarai and Khagaria districts of Bihar. Millions of people are surrounded by flood water. At some places, people are forced to cook food on rooftops due to water entering their houses, while at some places the mobile network has come to a complete standstill.

Flood havoc continues in Bindagaon village of Koilwar block of Bhojpur district. Life has been completely affected due to the spread of water all around this village with a population of about five thousand. Boats remain the main means of transportation for the villagers to reach and exit the village. Everything from daily necessities to milk is being transported by boat.

According to the villagers, at present three boats have been made available by the administration. A large number of villagers are commuting every day with the help of these boats. Due to less number of boats, people often have to wait for their turn.

The flood water has spread to the maize crops and green vegetables grown in low-lying areas. Crops have been completely affected due to submergence in water, due to which farmers have to suffer financial loss. Due to the spread of water around the village, cattle farmers are facing the problem of fodder for their cattle.

In view of the flood situation, the schools of the village have been closed. An ANM has been deployed by the Health Department to distribute medicines in the village, which is providing some relief to the villagers. However, due to continuous water logging, villagers continue to face problems regarding health and other essential services.

Even amidst the floods, people associated with the local dairy of Bindagaon are transporting the milk of the farmers of the village to the dairy with the help of boats. Despite being surrounded by water, efforts are being made to continue the work of milk collection and supply. Local resident Chandan Singh and teacher Rajnikanth told that due to the flood, the people of the entire village are living in trouble. Villagers are facing a lot of difficulties regarding food, transportation, animal fodder and other essential facilities. The villagers have demanded from the administration to start a community kitchen and provide adequate boats and other necessary facilities.

"Flood brings trouble every year. The village is surrounded by water. Water has entered the houses. People are forced to cook food on the roof. Even in such a situation, there is no arrangement for a communal kitchen from the government. The administration has shown promptness, sailors and boats have been arranged. Schools have been closed. I teach in Semra Vidyalaya. The government should give relaxation in making attendance to the flood affected teachers who reach the school."- Rajinikanth, teacher

We are sailing from 6 am to 6 pm. We have received the boat since 3rd September. Have brought a boat from Sonmadwa in Patna. 100 people sit on a boat. It is a big boat.- Sailor

"We have got 3 boats. We travel from morning till evening. Everything is watching what we demand from the government."- Chandan Singh, local resident

Due to flood, problem of mobile network has also arisen in the village. Due to this, the villagers are facing difficulty in contacting each other and exchanging important information. Contacting in case of emergency also remains a challenge for the villagers. Due to increase in water flow, there is a possibility of further deepening of the flood crisis in the villages and low-lying areas situated on the river banks. Relief and rescue work is going on in the affected areas by the administration.

The flood situation in Begusarai amid the rising water level of river Ganga continues to be a priority for the administration. Along with administrative officials, public representatives are also continuously reaching different flood affected areas of the district and taking stock of the ground situation.

In this sequence, District Officer Richie Pandey reached Bishanpur Panchayat of Bachhwara block and inspected the flood situation and took information about the relief and rescue operations in the affected areas.

"For the last few days, the water level of Ganga is continuously increasing. 37 Gram Panchayats and 2 Municipal Corporations have been completely affected. A population of 3 lakh 80 thousand has been affected. 223 boats have been made operational. Arrangements for community kitchens have been made." - Richie Pandey, District Officer, Begusarai.

At the same time, senior officials of the district are also continuously visiting the affected areas and necessary instructions are being given to the concerned officials. A high-level review meeting was also organized under the chairmanship of Minister in-charge Ramkripal Yadav at the Kargil Vijay Sabha building located at the Collectorate regarding the current flood situation, relief and rescue operations and preparations of the administration.

In Barauni block, Deputy Development Commissioner Akash Chaudhary inspected the affected areas and took information about relief and rescue operations and the necessary facilities being provided to the people. Here, Minister in-charge Ramkripal Yadav also inspected the flood affected areas of ward numbers 3, 4 and 18 of Begusarai Municipal Corporation as well as Khorampur Panchayat of Matihani zone. He met the affected families, heard their problems and took stock of the relief arrangements.

During this, he inspected the community kitchen and took information about the quality and arrangements of food and directed the officials to provide food, health and other necessary facilities to the flood affected people on time. The administration is also active regarding health facilities in flood affected areas. On behalf of the district administration, districts, sub-divisions and 24x7 emergency control rooms have also been activated at the sub-divisional level. The administration has urged the public to contact them immediately in case of any emergency. For this purpose, the numbers for DEOC Begusarai (06243-450626) and the District Control Room (9279808780) have been released.

Meanwhile, Union Textiles Minister and Begusarai MP Giriraj Singh held a meeting with district administration officials and public representatives in Ballia to review the flood situation and relief-and-rescue operations. Ballia Sub-Divisional Officer Ajay Yadav is also continuously visiting the flood-affected areas.

In view of the continuously rising water level of the Ganges River, the Khagaria district administration has gone into full alert mode. Anticipating potential flood conditions and rising water levels in low-lying areas, District Magistrate Vikram Virkar inspected Ward No. 18 of Banni Panchayat in Gogri Block.

During the inspection, the District Magistrate interacted with locals to understand the difficulties they are facing due to the rising water levels. Villagers requested the District Magistrate to provide additional boats for transportation. They explained that the rising water levels are disrupting road connectivity in several areas, making boats a crucial mode of transport for the people.

"Arrangements for additional boats should be ensured wherever needed, so that people do not face commuting difficulties during floods or waterlogging, and relief-and-rescue operations can be carried out swiftly if required." – Vikram Virkar, District Magistrate.

Along with inspecting Banni Panchayat, the District Magistrate also assessed the G.N. embankment. Given the rising water levels of the Ganges, the administration has prioritized the safety of the embankment. The District Magistrate instructed the concerned engineers and embankment guards to ensure continuous monitoring and regular patrolling of the dam.

The DM gave clear instructions to officials that there must be no negligence regarding the safety of the embankment at any level. Special vigilance must be maintained at vulnerable points along the embankment, and senior officials must be informed immediately upon receiving reports of any damage, erosion, or potential threat.

"The river's water level is constantly fluctuating. Given this, keeping a close watch on the condition of the embankment is crucial. Officials and staff must work with utmost vigilance, day and night, to ensure any emergency situation can be addressed in a timely manner." – Vikram Virkar, District Magistrate.

In view of the potential flood situation, the district administration has also directed that arrangements be made for direct communication with the public at the panchayat level. The District Magistrate has instructed Sub-Divisional Officers and block-level officials to organize evening community meetings (*Sandhya Chaupal*) in the respective panchayats.

Through these evening meetings, officials will interact with local villagers to understand their issues and needs. Efforts will be made to resolve the problems raised by villagers at the local level. In cases requiring immediate action, officials from the concerned departments will be directed to take the necessary steps.