Bridge collapse in northern India disrupts connectivity amidst flood crisis
by Aditi VermaIn a significant incident in northern India’s Bihar, a bridge connecting the Bakharpur and Babupur areas has collapsed, severing vital road links and exacerbating the ongoing flood situation. Local residents are urgently calling for repairs to restore essential transportation routes.
The incident took place between Bakharpur and Babupur in Bhagalpur district on September 26.
Visuals showed a bridge that had already split into two parts now lying in ruins, with crowds of people gathered on both sides, watching in disbelief. Surrounding them, water floods the area, creating an overwhelming scene of chaos. The middle section of the road has completely submerged, transforming the landscape into a vast expanse of water. People stand stranded, unable to move forward or back, trapped in the same spot as the floodwaters rise around them. The atmosphere is tense, with expressions of concern and uncertainty on the faces of those affected, as they contemplate their next steps amidst the encroaching water.
This critical route links Pirpainti Bazar to Jharkhand, making it an essential thoroughfare for local residents. Previously, the dilapidated state of nearby bridges had already hampered transportation, adding to the difficulties faced by the community.
With the bridge’s collapse, residents are forced to take a detour of 15-20 kilometers through Mirzachauki in Jharkhand to reach the block headquarters, wasting both time and money. Furthermore, a previous incident had seen another bridge near Parsurampur, Govindpur, and Tilakdhari Tola crumble, leading to increased hardship for the people in Bakharpur, Diyar, and surrounding areas.
Local residents have implored the administration for immediate repairs to the bridge and restoration of the road links, emphasizing that any delay could result in more severe accidents and disruptions in their daily lives. The community is worried about the impact on their essential activities and is demanding swift action to mitigate the crisis.