Tanahun, September 7:

A swollen Phaudi stream swept away a wooden bridge yesterday, affecting over 10,000 villagers of Purkot, Basantapur and Bhanu VDCs in Tanahun district. The 100-metre wooden bridge used to link Bhanu VDC Ward No 8 with Purkot VDC-7.

The sweeping away of the bridge has affected academic activities in three schools, including Janajagriti High School, said a local resident, Jayaram Shrestha.

"Students cannot cross the swollen stream,” said Ishwor Ranabhat, headmaster of the school.

In the absence of the lifeline, around 500 students, including 350 students of my school, have been compelled to stay home. Local residents have urged the government to build a bridge over the stream at the earliest.

Meanwhile, vehicular movement has resumed in two causeways in Naranga and Sunakhola of Kyamina VDC-1 of Tanahun district following maintenance work.

Flooding had rendered the causeways inoperable for the last few days.