Over six lakh people affected by flood in Bhojpur

Kumar Rajiv Nayan

Ara: Flood in Ganga and Sone has hit a population of over six lakh people under Barahara, Shahpur, Bihia, Koelwar, Sahar and Sandesh blocks in Bhojpur district. Safety of most part of Ara town, the district headquarters, is also in danger and if the rising trend of river Ganga continues, most of the Ara town may be submerged. Both Ganga and Sone are flowing 1.5 metre above the danger mark in the entire Bhojpur district.

Had the Bhojpur district administration and police administration not taken steps on time, the flood water of the Ganga would have submerged almost the whole Ara town in the late evening on Sunday because the residents of village Majhaua were trying to open the sluice gate there to drain out the flood water to the town in their effort to save village. The flood has reminded people 1976, 1985, 1987, 2003 and 2013 flood when it had caused extensive damage.

Due to flood water, the snakes and other venomous insects are seen frequently on roads, houses and other dry places and sting the people. About 25 persons were drowned in the flood water while a  dozen died due to snake bite. Bhojpur district was declared flood affected on Sunday evening. Bhojpur DM Birendra Prasad Yadav said that the flood affected people will get all benefits of flood affected areas.

The water level of Ganga increased 29 cm on Sunday and reached at 55.12 metrer. The flood water of Ganga is flowing   about four feet high on Ara-Buxar and Ara-Saraiya main roads. The flood water has also entered fresh areas in Ara town. Large number of people have shifted to safer places with their belongings.  The water  level of Sone receded about 41cm on Sunday. 

Bhojpur district administration has deployed police for the safety of sluice gates at the embankment. Over 300 villages are completely marooned in the flood water and over 1,000 houses were damaged while standing crops and vegetables have been damaged.

The flood water of Ganga has entered the houses at Bind Toli, Tari, Gausganj, Maruti Nagar, Balbatara, Sinhi, Maulabagh, M P Bagh, Chandawa, Chawkipur and other areas in Ara town.

About 100 private and government schools in the flood affected areas have been closed by the order of the District Education Officer, Suresh Prasad, and have been converted into shelter spots.

The Sone river is flowing 2 metre above the red mark in Koelwar and the flood water has entered Mahadev Chak, Semariya, Rajapur, Bindgawa, Daulatpur, Kayamnagar, Gyanpur, Babura and other villages. Under har block, people are spending sleepless nights due to flood fear. The flood water of Sone has reached about two dozen villages including Andhari, Baruhi, Sahar and others.