PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Ramnagar
With the onset of the monsoon, the Chukum village near Ramnagar finds itself virtually cut off from the rest of the district every time the Kosi river swells. Home to around 100 families with a total population of nearly 500, the village turns into an island whenever the river’s water level rises.
Every year, a temporary wooden bridge is erected across the Kosi to connect the village with the town. The bridge serves as the only lifeline for residents, enabling them to travel for work, farming and essential supplies. Schoolchildren also depend on this makeshift structure to attend classes. The challenges become even more severe during the rainy season. Teachers posted at the village’s primary school often have to wade through the water while carrying their clothes above their heads to ensure that the children’s education is not disrupted.
Consistent rainfall in recent days has once again raised the Kosi’s water level, snapping the village’s road link with Ramnagar. Anticipating such a situation, the local administration had already taken precautionary measures.
Sub-divisional magistrate Gopal Chauhan said that a three-month stock of essential food supplies had been provided to villagers before the monsoon. Basic healthcare facilities have also been arranged within the village. In case of emergencies, a raft has been stationed to facilitate the movement of residents. He added that the administration is fully prepared to deal with any disaster-related situation. Last year, when the Kosi river flooded, residents living along its banks were shifted to relief camps by the administration. With every monsoon, the village faces the same ordeal, its residents relying on a temporary wooden bridge and administrative preparedness to stay connected with the outside world.
