Hit by Bihar floods, man waiting under helicopter dies as ‘relief material falls on him’

A flood-hit resident of Parshurampur village in Bihar’s Saran district died on Friday while waiting to collect relief material being dropped from a helicopter, police said.

The deceased was identified as Anil Kumar Singh, also known as Appu Singh. Villagers gave different accounts of the incident. Some said relief material dropped from the helicopter fell on Singh and injured him, while others said the material landed nearby and he suffered a heart attack.

Police said the exact cause of death will be established after a post-mortem examination. Amnour SHO Vimlesh Kumar said there were no visible external injury marks on Singh’s body.

The helicopter was flying at a low altitude while carrying out the relief operation. According to police, the downdraft generated by the helicopter also blew away tin sheds and other nearby structures.

Another person was injured after being hit by a portion of a structure that was blown away by the helicopter’s downdraft. He received initial treatment near the relief camp and was later taken to Amnour Hospital. Police said his injuries were not severe.

The incident took place as authorities continued relief and rescue operations across flood-affected parts of Saran district following the rise in the Gandak River.

According to officials, floods have affected 170 villages across 33 panchayats in seven blocks, impacting around 3.32 lakh people and 75,286 families. So far, around 43,400 people have been moved to safer locations.

Fourteen relief centres are sheltering around 40,000 people, while 46 community kitchens are providing food. Authorities said 2,540 boats are operating in the affected areas and 2,650 food and dry-ration packets have been distributed.

Twenty medical camps and five mobile medical teams are providing healthcare, while eight veterinary camps have treated hundreds of animals. The administration has also distributed animal fodder.

A total of 48 NDRF and SDRF teams are currently involved in rescue and relief operations, with 11 additional teams expected to arrive.