Gujarat : Banaskantha MP Geniben Thakor Wades Through Floodwaters

Banaskantha | Gujarat — In a striking show of ground-level leadership, Banaskantha MP Geniben Thakor waded through five feet deep floodwaters in Morikha village of Vav taluka on Friday to review the devastation caused by torrential rains. With many villages in Banaskantha still reeling under waterlogging even five days after heavy downpours, her visit has captured widespread attention.

Flood Situation in Banaskantha

The district has been battered by more than 16 inches of rainfall in recent days, leaving several villages across Tharad, Vav, and Suigam talukas inundated. While water has receded in some places, damaged roads and persistent waterlogging continue to isolate many areas.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is also on his second consecutive day of touring affected regions, signaling the seriousness of the crisis. However, it was Geniben Thakor’s symbolic step of walking directly into waist-to-chest-deep water that resonated most with locals.

Geniben Thakor’s Ground-Level Review

Arriving in Morikha, where access by vehicle was impossible, Thakor walked alongside her team through stagnant floodwaters. At times, she also rode on a tractor to reach marooned areas. She spoke directly with villagers, listened to their grievances, and assured them of swift assistance for water drainage and rehabilitation.

With a smile on her face despite the grim circumstances, the MP emphasized the need for urgent solutions.

“Morikha faces this crisis repeatedly after heavy rains. Families are forced to migrate each year. This cannot continue. I have visited every family in the school and given assurance that the drainage issue will be resolved,” Thakor posted on social media.

Local Youth Assigned Key Role

One immediate step taken during her visit was to hand over responsibility to local youth to dismantle a wall built behind the Shiva temple, which villagers believe is obstructing water outflow.

“Since the ground is not fit for JCBs or machinery, the sarpanch and village youth themselves have taken up the task of clearing the path. They waded through nearly five feet of water to inspect the site with me,” Thakor noted.

Political and Social Impact

Her bold move stood in contrast to routine official reviews and highlighted the urgency of the situation. Locals appreciated the MP’s willingness to experience firsthand what they have endured for days.

A village elder remarked,“We have seen many visits in the past, but this time our MP showed she was ready to walk the same flooded path we walk every day. It gives us hope.”