New Delhi: In a troubling series of events, three bridges collapsed in Siwan district, Bihar, in a single day, severely impacting connectivity for villages along the Gandak and Dhamhi rivers. The collapses, occurring amidst the ongoing monsoon season, have disrupted normal life in the region. The collapses occurred at Deoria, Tevatha, and Teghra Panchayats, rendering several villages inaccessible. Villagers from over two dozen communities are now stranded, unable to move freely due to the damaged culverts and bridges.Series of disastersThe first collapse took place at Parain Tola in Deoria Panchayat, where a culvert constructed in 2004 over the Gandaki river connecting Deoria and Ramgarha Panchayat collapsed. Similarly, a culvert built in the 1990s over the Dhamai river between Nautan and Sikandarpur villages in Tevtha Panchayat suffered damage, cutting off Sikandarpur from block and subdivision headquarters. In Teghra Panchayat, the culvert linking Teghra and Tevtha Panchayat over the Dhamai river also collapsed.Heres the video:बिहार में एक और पुल धराशायी !! pic.twitter.com/BQWFiN0XHZ— MANOJ SHARMA LUCKNOW UP🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@ManojSh28986262) July 3, 2024Human impactThe simultaneous collapse of these critical structures has severely affected lakhs of villagers, prompting some to migrate to nearby cities until normalcy returns. Residents like Sant Kumar Pandey of Parain Tola and Bhual Singh of Sikandarpur expressed concerns over the situation and blamed inadequate river cleaning efforts for the collapses.Watch the video here:सिवान जिले के महराजगंज प्रखण्ड क्षेत्र अंतर्गत तीन पुल जल समाधी ले लिया। और डबल इंजन की सरकार टैक्स के पैसे से चंदा का धंधा शुरू की हैं।सूचना मिलते ही महराजगंज पहुंच तीन धवस्त पुल का निरिक्षण किया और आमजन से मुलाक़ात स्थिति से अवगत हुआ।@Siwan_Rjd @yadavtejashwi @RJDforIndia https://t.co/iEyo0xnoub pic.twitter.com/eOXbyMxpEx— Prof. Rabindra Rai (@rabindrarjd) July 3, 2024What is governments responseIn response to the series of collapses, the state government has formed a high-level committee to investigate these incidents across various regions. Led by the Chief Engineer, the committee will assess the causes behind the collapses and recommend necessary preventive measures. The committee is expected to submit its findings within three days.Recent incidentsThis incident marks the sixth bridge collapse in Bihar over the past two weeks, highlighting the critical infrastructure challenges faced during the monsoon. Most recently, a bridge in Khausi Dangi village of Thakurganj block, Kishanganj, collapsed on Sunday, impacting local connectivity severely.
