Narayani river submerges houses, people repose faith in Lord Shiva
Gopalganj, July 29 (IANS) The surging waters in nearly 12 districts of the northern part of Bihar have submerged many houses. This year the Kosi river, which has wreaked havoc in Bihar, has not yet reached its most turbulent form.
However, the Gandak river, which is also known as Narayani, has devastated areas in Gopalganj and Champaran districts. People's homes have been destroyed yet they have faith in Lord Shiva.
Houses and people's belongings have been submerged by the overflowing Narayani. People did not want to leave their homes and go to relief camps, but to save their lives they had to take shelter in the higher reaches or relief camps set up by the government.
The Gandak's water has wreaked havoc in the Sadar, Kuchaikote, Manjha, Barauli, Sidhwalia and Baikunthpur blocks of Gopalganj. The villagers in these blocks have migrated to other areas. The pain of leaving their homes is writ large on their faces but they have not lost faith in Lord Shiva ('Narayan').
Sushma, who is staying in a high school converted into a flood relief camp in Manikpur village along with her family, says that she and her husband did not want to leave their home but the locals brought them here.
She says, "Narayani river has submerged everything. Now I trust only Lord Shiva. If God has given us birth, he will make the arrangements for food."
