Patna, Sep 10 (IANS) Five people drowned in deep floodwater that had accumulated on a road in Koyli Khutha village under the Bypass Police Station area of Bihar’s Bhagalpur district, amid rising water levels in the Ganga on Thursday.
The tragedy has cast a pall of gloom over the village.
According to an official, the victims were on their way to their fields when one person stepped into the deep water on the road and began drowning.
Several others entered the water in an attempt to rescue the person, but five people drowned in the process.
Locals pulled the victims from the water and rushed them to Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared all five dead.
The deceased have been identified as Manchon Devi, Sonakshi Kumari, Prince Kumar, Abhishek Kumar and Anshu Priya.
Four of the victims were reportedly from the same family, while the fifth was their neighbour.
Another person involved in the incident is in critical condition and is undergoing treatment at Mayaganj Hospital.
Following the incident, personnel from the Bypass Police Station reached the village and assessed the situation.
The Station House Officer, the local panchayat mukhiya and residents also visited Mayaganj Hospital.
The deaths triggered an emotional response among relatives at the hospital.
Villagers have raised concerns over the danger posed by floodwater accumulating on roads, particularly because its depth can be difficult to judge.
They have urged the administration to strengthen safety arrangements, place warning signs and alert residents in areas where roads and other public spaces have been submerged.
The incident comes as Bhagalpur continues to face a severe flood situation.
Reports indicate that water more than 10 feet deep is flowing on both sides of NH-80 at the maximum stretches.
Thousands of residents have been forced to take shelter along roads with their families, belongings and livestock.
The floods have affected large parts of Bihar. According to the Disaster Management Department, 14 districts—Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Samastipur, Munger, Katihar, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Purnea and Arwal—are currently affected.
Around 43.64 lakh people in 527 gram panchayats across 85 blocks have been affected by the floods.
Although water levels in several major rivers have begun showing a receding trend, the Gandak, Kosi, Bagmati, Burhi Gandak, Ganga, Punpun and Ghaghara continue to flow above the danger mark at various locations.
Relief and rescue operations are underway, while authorities have intensified monitoring of river levels and water discharge from barrages.
The Bhagalpur tragedy has once again highlighted the risks posed by submerged roads and the need for stronger safety measures in flood-affected areas.
