Saryu River water levels surge, UP villagers forced to demolish homes

Residents of the Ballia District in Uttar Pradesh are facing a dire situation as the rising water levels of the Saryu River have caused rapid erosion near its banks.

This escalating erosion has forced villagers to demolish their homes in an effort to salvage belongings and prevent complete submersion.

The speed of the erosion has left many homes perilously close to being swallowed by the river. As a result, villagers have resorted to using chisels, hammers, and bulldozers to dismantle their houses and move their possessions to safer areas.

Vishram Yadav, a resident of Bhojpurwa village in Bansdih tehsil, expressed his fear and urgency. "I am scared of the erosion caused by the rising water level of the river. I am getting my house demolished by the bulldozer so that I can take away with me whatever debris can be useful to me," Yadav told ANI. He also criticized the government's inaction, stating that a barrier could have prevented the current situation.

Haridwar Yadav, the village head of Bhojpurwa, reported that approximately 1,100 people in the village have been affected, with around 40 families already demolishing their homes due to the erosion.

On Monday, District Magistrate Praveen Kumar Lakshkar visited Bhojpurwa village to assess the damage and assured the residents that all necessary measures would be taken to assist them. He reported that the Saryu River has eroded about 80 to 100 meters of land, resulting in the loss of 13 homes. Arrangements for food and accommodation are being made for the affected villagers, and appropriate compensation will be provided according to regulations.