Bodh Gaya: Torrential rain and rising river levels have wreaked havoc in Bodh Gaya, leaving dozens of villages submerged and hundreds homeless. The deluge, which has hit Mahadalit communities the hardest, has also destroyed crops over nearly 100 acres of farmland.
Villages including Gongdia, Bataspur and Chhachh have borne the brunt of the flooding, which locals say has become a recurring crisis each year—exacerbated by water from the Bataspur Dam. Deputy Mukhiya of the Panchayat, Manoranjan Prasad, said water entered 100 homes in Gongdia’s Mahadalit hamlet, inundated 50 homes in Bataspur, and washed over fields in Chhachh village.
“Every year we face this calamity. This time, the dam’s water has submerged even the local playground,” said Prasad, blaming administrative inaction for the failure to raise and extend the protective wall of the dam, despite the Chief Minister inaugurating it in February this year.
About 150 displaced residents have taken refuge in local schools that have been converted into temporary shelters. Food and drinking water are being provided by the administration, which has also begun deploying boats and relief supplies to affected areas.
Gayaji District Majistrate Shashank Shubhankar, who inspected the flooded areas on Friday evening, directed local officials to monitor the situation closely and submit a comprehensive report within 24 hours. “Where the road has been eroded due to the flow of water, traffic should be made smooth quickly. Also, the water should be drained out using human pipes,” he said.
Block Development Officer (BDO) of Bodh Gaya, Sadar SDO, and the Zonal Officer have been tasked with overseeing the relief efforts. Meanwhile, residents continue to express frustration over the slow pace of long-term flood mitigation measures.
For the Mahadalit communities, the flood has not only displaced families but also wiped out their key sources of income. Standing crops of moong and vegetables have been washed away, compounding the economic losses from the physical destruction of homes and infrastructure. As the rains continue and water levels remain high, the region waits for both immediate relief and permanent solutions.
