Saran: A flood relief operation turned tragic in Bihar’s Saran district after a 58 year old man died during an aerial distribution of relief material in a flood hit village, with police investigating whether a packet dropped from a helicopter struck him.
The incident occurred around 3.30 pm on Friday near a relief camp in Parshurampur village under Amnour police station. The deceased was identified as Anil Kumar Singh, also known as Appu Singh, a resident of the same village.
According to Marhaura Sub Divisional Police Officer Savindra Kumar Das, the preliminary account suggests that a relief packet dropped from a helicopter may have hit Singh on the head. However, authorities have stopped short of confirming that the falling packet caused his death.
The body has been sent for post mortem examination, and police said the autopsy report will be crucial in establishing what happened. Amnour Station House Officer Vimlesh Kumar said no visible injury marks were found on Singh’s head or elsewhere on his body.
Villagers have also given conflicting accounts. While some claimed that a relief packet fell on Singh, others said the packets landed nearby and that he may have suffered a heart attack. Police are examining all possibilities before reaching a conclusion.
The incident occurred as authorities were using helicopters to deliver dry ration packets to communities cut off by severe flooding linked to the Gandak River. Saran has been among the districts affected by the flood situation, with residents moved to safer locations and relief centres operating across affected areas.
The aerial operation also resulted in another injury in the same village. Police said the downdraft generated by a low flying helicopter blew away part of a tin structure, injuring a woman in the leg. She received medical treatment and was reported to be in stable condition.
Authorities have intensified relief efforts as floodwaters disrupt normal life across Saran. Boats, relief centres, community kitchens and aerial supply drops are being used to reach people stranded in affected areas.
For now, the circumstances surrounding Singh’s death remain under investigation. While the possibility that he was struck by an air dropped relief packet is being examined, the final cause of death will depend on the post mortem findings.
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