Locals crossing the Chhindu River with the help of a rope as there is no bridge over the river in Himali Rural Municipality, Bajura, on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Photo: THT
Bajura, April 17
Locals of Gumba village are compelled to cross rivers using ropes due to lack of bridges in Himali Rural Municipality, Bajura.
Locals of Gumba village have to cross the Chhindu and Gumba rivers to reach the villages of the rural municipality, but there are no bridges over these rivers.
Ward Chair Jagat Bahadur Lama said they had to use ropes throughout the year as the water current was strong in these rivers even during winter. “Villagers have to cross the rivers putting their lives at risk,” he added.
As many as 26 families live in the village.
Lalu Kunwar, 80, a local, said that till date seven persons had drowned in the rivers while crossing them with ropes.
Locals said they had demanded bridges over the rivers time and again, but the authorities concerned did not heed their demand.
Gumba villagers get disconnected from the rest of the villages in the rural municipality during rainy season. The road that connects the village is also in very poor condition. “It is very difficult to transport daily essentials to Gumba village due to lack of proper roads and bridges,” said Kunwar, adding that women, children and patients had been hit hard for want of motorable bridges over the rivers.
A version of this article appears in print on April 18, 2019 of The Himalayan Times.
