World · India Bureau
West Bengal doctors wade through floods to treat patients
Medical staff at a hospital in flood-hit Ratua block continue treating patients despite devastating inundation from swollen Ganges waters. Nearly 40 percent of the facility remains submerged, with doctors working knee-deep in water to provide care.
LSN India ·
Healthcare workers at Ratua block hospital in West Bengal are continuing operations despite severe flooding triggered by rising Ganges waters, with approximately 40 percent of the facility now underwater.
The swelling river has cut off major access routes to the hospital, leaving boat transport as the only viable means of reaching the facility. Power supply to the hospital has been completely disrupted, while snakes and insects now inhabit the corridors, creating hazardous conditions for staff and patients alike.
Despite these extreme circumstances, Dr. Arijit and members of the medical staff have remained at their posts, wading through knee-deep water to continue providing treatment to patients. The dedication of the healthcare team underscores the critical role hospitals play as essential services, even during natural disasters that compromise basic infrastructure and safety.
The flooding in West Bengal, driven by the swollen Ganges, has affected multiple areas across the state, with rural healthcare facilities particularly vulnerable due to their isolation and limited resources for managing crisis situations.