Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Flooded Bengal Couple Stays on Raft to Protect Livestock
Heavy rain caused rivers in parts of Bengal to overflow and flood many villages.
Sudhanshu and Gouri Ghorai had to leave the rooms in their home because they were underwater.
They are living on a small bamboo raft covered by a plastic sheet.
They stayed behind because their cows and goats are their most important source of income.
Many other families moved to relief camps or stayed with relatives.
More than 100,000 people have been affected, and thousands of homes were damaged.
The floods also caused drownings and made travel dangerous because of exposed electrical wires.
Officials say they will provide help and money to rebuild damaged houses.
Sudhanshu and Gouri Ghorai have lived on a bamboo raft for seven days after floodwater submerged their home in Khaukhanda village.
The couple refused to leave their cows and goats, which are their main source of livelihood, for a relief camp.
Flooding has affected more than 100,000 people and damaged about 5,000 houses across parts of West and East Midnapore.
The Keleghai and Subarnarekha rivers crossed danger levels after days of heavy rain, inundating villages.
Two people drowned in Sabang, while a man survived an electric shock after a high-tension wire touched his boat.
- Who
- Residents of Sabang and Patashpur, including Sudhanshu and Gouri Ghorai, have been affected; officials are coordinating relief.
- What
- Flooding has submerged villages, damaged homes, displaced families and created dangers including drownings and electrical accidents.
- When
- The flooding followed rain beginning Sunday and has affected the region for about a week.
- Where
- Khaukhanda and other villages in Sabang, West Midnapore, and Patashpur in East Midnapore, West Bengal.
- Why
- Days of incessant rain caused the Keleghai and Subarnarekha rivers to rise beyond danger levels.
Flood-Affected Residents
Administration
Relief and shelter
Flood-Affected Residents
Some residents said relief supplies were not enough, and the Ghorais remained outside a relief camp to protect their livestock.
Administration
Officials said relief camps were operating, some residents were being helped to return as water receded, and necessary support would be provided.
Recovery after flooding
Flood-Affected Residents
Families such as the Ghorais cannot return because their homes remain submerged and their livestock face dangers including snakes.
Administration
Minister Rajesh Mahato said financial assistance and other support had been announced to help rebuild houses and improve conditions.
- Affected population
- More than 100,000 people in the two worst-hit areas were affected.
- Homes damaged
- About 5,000 houses were damaged, according to administrative sources.
- Ghorai family refuge
- The couple has lived for seven days on a makeshift bamboo raft under a tarpaulin.
- Worst-hit areas
- Sabang in West Midnapore and Patashpur in East Midnapore were among the worst-hit areas.
- Flooded local areas
- Thirteen gram panchayat areas in Sabang were flooded, five severely.
- Reported deaths
- A three-year-old child and another person drowned in separate incidents in Sabang.
- Electrical accident
- Ranjan Parui survived after an 11,000-volt wire touched his boat during a flood-related trip.