Purnea MP Rajesh Ranjan, widely known as Pappu Yadav, on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, met Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain in Patna to raise alarm over the state's handling of disasters, demanding that compensation for families of deceased victims be raised from ₹4 lakh to ₹10 lakh. The MP alleged that around 300 people had died in boat accidents across Bihar and that several affected families were yet to receive any relief — figures that could not be independently verified.

Key Allegations Against Bihar's Disaster Response

Yadav alleged that boats were operating at night in flood-hit areas without adequate safety equipment, including life jackets, and that government-operated vessels were in short supply. He also questioned the deployment of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), arguing it had been insufficient given the scale of the crisis.

He referred to reported deaths in Chhapra, where he claimed 40 people had died due to floods this year, and named Maker, Panapur, Parsa, Amanour, Taraiya and Bettiah as areas that had recorded fatalities. These figures have not been independently confirmed.

Embankment Failures and Corruption Concerns

The MP alleged that embankments had breached at around 26 locations across the state and raised concerns about possible corruption in their construction and maintenance. He demanded a high-level inquiry into the work of Shriram Company, Singla, and associated firms, calling for accountability for contractors and officials found responsible for infrastructure failures.

Yadav also questioned the closure of the Vikramshila Bridge during the festive season, including Durga Puja, and urged authorities to conduct thorough safety inspections of bridges and embankments statewide.

Scale of the Flood Crisis in Bihar

According to Yadav, approximately 56 lakh people have been affected by floods in Bihar this season. He called for a comprehensive review of disaster preparedness, relief distribution, and rescue coordination between the Centre and the Bihar state government. He alleged that officials were not responding adequately during emergencies, while political leaders remained focused on election campaigning — a pointed reference to ongoing MLC election campaigns.

Additional Demands: Jobs and Domicile Reservation

Beyond disaster relief, Yadav also raised concerns about employment opportunities for Bihar's youth. He demanded an 80–85 per cent domicile-based reservation policy in state employment to improve job access for local residents. He also urged a review of educational institutions, colleges, and recruitment regulations.

Notably, Yadav invited Union Minister Chirag Paswan and former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to align with him politically, claiming his party would come to power in Bihar in the future — a remark that underscored the political dimensions of the meeting.

On the Ground: Raghopur Boat Accident Families

Following his meeting with the Governor, Yadav visited families of those killed in the Raghopur boat accident in Vaishali district. The Bihar government's response to his demands was not immediately available. The allegations regarding disaster-related deaths, embankment breaches, and construction irregularities require independent verification, and a government statement is awaited.