Patna district’s Ummanath Ganga ghat witnessed a horrific boat accident on Wednesday morning. Farmers heading to Diara for parwal harvesting were aboard a small boat when it overturned. Initial reports confirm seven deaths, including one male and six females, while several others were rescued by local boatmen. Bind Toli residents are mourning intensely, with cries and grief spreading across homes.
Farmers’ Daily Journey Turns Deadly
Locals reported that Bind Toli farmers routinely crossed the Ganga by boat to work in Diara. On Wednesday, fourteen to fifteen people boarded a small vessel. As the boat reached mid-river, sudden strong winds and river currents destabilized it. The boat capsized rapidly, creating panic and screams as many began drowning. Nearby boatmen rushed to rescue, saving several, while some swam to safety.
Rescue Efforts and Death Toll
Subsequent rescue operations recovered one woman and one young man’s bodies. The administration confirmed seven deaths so far. Five more people remain missing, with the State Disaster Response Force conducting continuous search using motorboats and divers. Heavy crowds gathered at the ghat as relatives awaited news, standing for hours along the riverbank hoping to reunite with loved ones.
Administration Responds Immediately
Patna officials, including Badh Police Station in-charge Brajkishore Singh, SDM Garima Lohia, CDPO Ramakrishna, and Anchal Adhikari Dr. Narendra Kumar Singh, reached the site. They initiated immediate relief and rescue operations. Authorities are investigating causes, preliminarily attributing the accident to strong winds and overcrowding on the small boat.
Calls for Safer River Crossing
Local residents demand secure boat operations and permanent bridges in Diara. They argue better infrastructure could prevent poor farmers from risking their lives for daily livelihoods.
