Bihar's flood situation remains severe, with 13 districts badly affected and large numbers of people facing displacement, loss of homes, crops and livelihoods. Several areas of Patna, including Punpun and Masaurhi, are also under water. Several people have lost their lives, many families have seen their homes washed away and standing crops have been destroyed. Despite the scale of the crisis, the state government's relief and rescue measures remain inadequate, leaving flood-affected people to struggle for basic necessities.
On September 5, CPI(ML) Bihar State Secretary Comrade Kunal demanded that all flood-affected areas be immediately declared flood-affected zones and that relief and rescue operations be intensified. He also demanded adequate compensation for the families of those who died in the floods, as well as immediate compensation for families whose homes have been destroyed and farmers whose crops have been lost.
CPI(ML) former MLA Comrade Gopal Ravidas visited Punpun and Masaurhi and met flood-affected people to assess the situation. He pointed out that several areas where large numbers of people are suffering from the floods have still not been officially declared flood-affected by the government.
Bhojpur flood victims demand recognition and relief
The flood crisis has also severely affected Bhojpur, where CPI(ML) MP Comrade Sudama Prasad led a five-member delegation to meet the Bhojpur District Magistrate and demand that Barhara, Shahpur, Bihiya, Ara and Koilwar blocks be declared flood-affected.
Comrade Sudama Prasad said that in Piparpanti village in Barhara block and several other villages, the erosion caused by the Ganga has already washed seven poor families' homes into the river. Several other houses have entered the danger zone and families are being forced to evacuate. Many displaced families have taken shelter in schools, on embankments and at other temporary locations.
These families are facing an acute crisis of food, shelter, drinking water, healthcare, children's education and fodder for livestock. The delegation placed the situation before the District Magistrate and demanded that relief, rescue and rehabilitation operations be intensified and that immediate food, drinking water, healthcare, safe shelter and other essential relief materials be provided to affected people.
CPI(ML) demanded that the government move beyond paper announcements and launch relief and rescue operations on a war footing. Every flood-affected family must be surveyed and provided adequate compensation. Families of those who died must receive immediate compensation, while displaced families must be provided proper rehabilitation.
The party said that Bihar's flood-affected people cannot be left to fend for themselves. Declaring every affected area as flood-affected and ensuring adequate relief, compensation and rehabilitation is the responsibility of the government.
