Assam: Residents along Karbi-Anglong border risk their lives to cross Deopani river amidst absence of bridge

With monsoon almost knocking the doors in the Northeastern corner of the country, residents of the hill district of Karbi Anglong in Assam are still waiting for a bridge over the Deopani River, so as to safely cross over to the other side during the rainy season.

Putting their life at risk, residents both young and old, trudge through the watery path regularly to pass over the next side of the village.

Visuals from Sochendhanta council constituency on the border of Nagaon-Karbi Anglong show women, children, men on bikes, few with the aids of sticks, crossing the now silent river which in few months will show its calamitous side once monsoon sets in.

Thousands of people in Karbi Anglong are still living on the edge, crossing through the river, with the hope that they will get a bridge someday. 

It is noteworthy the situation of the village was not the same always. There was a British era bridge connecting Karbi Anglong and Nagaon, which served as a primary connecting route for business and medical emergency.

But after the calamitous floods last year, the bridge was washed away by the rising waters of Deopani River, putting the lives of the residents at stake, who regularly use the route to cross over to the other side for their daily work purpose.

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