Phulwarisharif, Aug. 21: A swollen Punpun river has made life miserable for around 75,000 people living here. The situation turned grim when water of Punpun in Patna district entered dozens of villages inundating several fields and houses in the area, a week ago.

The villagers witnessed the flood after facing drought for over three years.

The Telegraph visited the villages and witnessed that all the primary schools, temples and handpumps are now under water. The flood has also taken lives of two youths in the past four days at Rashulpur and Punpun blocks.

“Our paddy fields are under water and schools have been closed because about 10ft water has entered the schools. We can’t even go for a prayer as the Shiva temple too has been inundated. The water level is increasing every day and we are forced to stay on rooftops of our houses during nights,” said Ram Kewat Prasad, a farmer in Lakhanpur village.

On the other hand, food and consumer protection minister Shyam Rajak today inspected 10 villages on a boat and met the flood-hit villagers. The villagers of Fahimchak started pouring their heart out as soon as the minister reached the village in a boat.

“Sir, you are the first politician who has come to see our plight. We are living in hell. There is hardly any grocery left. We are only surviving on chuda (beaten rice). Water has entered our houses and we cannot go anywhere. If we want to buy grocery, we have to walk for more than 2km in neck-deep water. However, for the past few days we can’t even do that because the water level has increased further,” said Dinanath Paswan, a villager.

Rajak did not have much to say except sympathising the villagers after listening to their problems.

He said: “The government has decided to give Rs 2,250 cash to each villager, who are facing the flood wrath. Those whose farming land has been damaged will get Rs 4,000 per hectare. The government will also give one quintal of foodgrain and we will also provide around seven to eight extra boats by tomorrow. There is no need to worry. I can understand the problems and this is the reason why I have come to meet the villagers.”

Chief minister Nitish Kumar today, meanwhile, carried out an aerial survey of flood-hit areas of Bihar, where river Ganga too has inundated many villages. Following the survey, Nitish has ordered a speedy relief work.

“I have conducted a high-level meeting and I have also asked the officials to start relief work on war footing,” the chief minister said.