Patna: Women elected representatives, including mukhiyas and ward members, have successfully implemented a ‘good practice model’ for flood management in seven flood-hit blocks of Darbhanga district.The blocks are Kusheshwar Sthan, Kusheshwar Sthan Purvi (East), Singhwara, Kiratpur, Hanuman Nagar, Gaura Bauram and Biraul. As many as 70 panchayats were marooned. Kusheshwar Sthan and Kusheshwar Sthan Purvi, low-lying areas prone to waterlogging, were the first to be hit by Kosi floodwaters this season.Ahead of the floods, the panchayati raj and disaster management departments, along with the district administration, trained elected women representatives in flood management. The Centre for Catalysing Change provided technical support under ‘Project Medha’.The trained representatives identified safe elevated locations for shelters and relief camps and took steps to drain accumulated water. With help from the district administration, they arranged boats to rescue trapped families and sought support from NDRF jawans for rescue operations.They also arranged relief items for men, women and children, fodder for cattle and helped farmers receive compensation for crop damage.
