Munger: In Krishna Nagar village, located in the Teliyadih Panchayat of Haveli Kharagpur block in Munger, Bihar, residents have been living in floodwaters for more than three months. Continuous waterlogging has submerged homes, forcing families to find shelter wherever possible. Those living in two-story houses have taken refuge on their rooftops, while families in small mud houses have had no choice but to cover themselves with polythene sheets in open areas. For these villagers, daily life has become a struggle for survival.
The government’s relief efforts have so far been minimal. Villagers report receiving only ₹7,000 and enough food for eight days, which they say is not nearly enough for months of hardship. Some villagers allege that officials even demanded money in exchange for aid, leaving residents frustrated and helpless. Many believe that if proper development and infrastructure had been in place, they would not have been forced to live like prisoners of water for such a long time.
The crisis in Krishna Nagar is part of a larger problem in the region. Several other panchayats, including areas in Diara, Sadar, Bariyarpur, and Jamalpur blocks, are also submerged due to heavy flooding. More than 5,000 families have been forced to leave their homes and take shelter in higher, safer locations. The long stay on roads and open areas has increased health risks due to dust, dirt, and unhygienic conditions. Many villagers have also suffered losses of livestock, with cattle falling victim to accidents while trying to escape the floodwaters.
As the country celebrates festivals such as Durga Puja, the people of Krishna Nagar remain trapped in water and uncertainty. The floods have disrupted their lives for months, highlighting the urgent need for better disaster preparedness, infrastructure, and timely relief in flood-prone areas of Bihar. For these villagers, the festive season is overshadowed by hardship, loss, and neglect, serving as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters.
