1) Answer the following questions to check your understanding :

(a) Why did the people of Chitolia and the neighbouring villages panic ?

Ans: People of Chitolia and neighbouring villages were panicked as the water of the Brahmaputra continued to rise.

(b) What happened when the embankment at Chitolia village was breached ?

Ans: When the embankment at Chitolia village was breached. In moments, huge waves of water broke into the villages The water rolled over some of the house-tops. The air quickly filled with the cries and wails of the village folk huddled on roof-tops of the chang-ghars and the mad bellowing of the livestock being swept away.

(c) What action did Khagen and his classmates take to rescue the villagers of Chitolia ?

Ans: To rescue the villagers of Chitolia, Khagen and his classmates made five boats out of banana stems and set off towards Chitolia.

(d) How did Khagen and Dambaru rescue Dr. Hatibarua and Moni Baideu ?

Ans: Khagen and Dambaru reached the medical after a lot of effort, where Dr. Hatibarua and his wife Moni Baidew were stranded. They reached there after half an hour and took them to the boat along with their bags.

(e) Why did the people of the village call Khagen ‘The Prince of Panidihing’ ?

Ans: The people of the village called Khagen the ‘Prince of Panidihing’ because he was brave and kind. He was always ready to help others. He also had the ability to solve all kinds of problems.

2) How much of the story do you remember ? Answer these questions quickly.

(a) who was Khagen ? How old was he ?

Ans: Khagen was a student of Nitaipukhuri College and he was seventeen years old.

(b) ‘It rained heavily all week.’ What was the result ?

Ans: It rained heavily all week. The swelling water of the Brahmaputra continued rising. Panic gripped Chitolia and its neighbouring villages. 

(c) ‘In moments, huge waves of water broke into the villages.’ – What is this situation called ?

Ans: This situation is called ‘flood havoc’.

(d) “Khagen ! You have saved our lives, given us a new life.” – Who said this ? Why did he say this ?

Ans: Dr. Hatibarua said because he saved him from drowning.

3) Complete the following sentences in your own words :

(a) The water rolled over some of the house – tops and _________

Ans: The water rolled over some of the house–tops and swept away everything that came in its way.

(b) By the time the people of Chitolia were evacuated, _________

Ans: By the time the people of Chitolia were evacuated, the floodwater had already entered their homes and fields.

(c) Half an hour later, the boat reached the doctor’s house _________

Ans: Half an hour later, the boat reached the doctor’s house and Khagen called out to bring them to safety.

(d) The boat took a U turn now and ________

Ans: The boat took a U-turn now and headed towards the school building where other villagers had taken shelter

(e) Dambaru and the two other men somehow managed to catch _________

Ans: Dambaru and the two other men somehow managed to catch hold of a tree and save themselves from being washed away.

4) Read the following. Use the clues to write a summary of the situation of Panidihing to be published in the local newspaper. Give a suitable title

a) it rained heavily 

b) panic gripped our village

c) the embankment was breached

d) villagers took shelter on house – tops

e) villagers from neighbouring villages rushed to help

f) the civil authorities were also informed

g) in to time rafts and boats were made ready

h) hundreds of villagers were rescued along with their livestock