Bihar villagers divert Kamala river to save crops

Initiative will save standing crops in 1,000 acres of land

Villagers have changed the course of a river in Bihar to save their dying crops for want of irrigation water. Bihar has been witnessing subdued monsoon conditions for more than a fortnight leading to rain deficiency of 18 per cent.

The villagers had to make the decision in the Alinagar block of Darbhanga district, 140km north of Patna, after running out of alternatives. The area is considered one of the most flood-prone districts in Bihar but this time the monsoon has not been generous.

Armed with spades and using earth movers and tractors, the villagers worked day and night in the field to dig out soil and divert the Kamala river towards their fields. They raised Rs250,000 (Dh12,660) to carry out the digging so they could save their crops which they say are the lone source of their survival.

Villagers said the initiative would save standing crops planted in around 1,000 acres of land.

“We had no option at all. Something concrete had to be done instantly,” a villagers Mahtab Alam told local media.