Tribal lives at risk as villagers cross river using ropes and pots in Kandhamal

Shocking visuals have emerged from Kadamaha village under Baliguda block in Kandhamal, as residents continue to risk their lives by crossing the swollen Budha River with the help of ropes. The Budha River in Kandhamal has swollen dangerously, posing a risk to the tribal villagers. People are wading chest-deep through strong currents, clinging to ropes for balance.

In an even more heartbreaking sight, small children are being placed inside aluminium vessels and carried across the river. The villagers have been facing the ordeal for years now, risking their lives to cross the Budha river. Not only the residents of Kadamaha, but also those from Dublamaha and Malimaha villages are facing the same plight. Despite nearly 100 families living in the area, there is no bridge or proper road connectivity, forcing people to take life-threatening risks to access daily essentials.

One of the villagers said, ’We have no other option, even though we are scared. There’s no road or bridge here. Our children have to cross this river using ropes just to reach school. We too risk our lives crossing the river like this to bring home food and essentials.

The villagers are even deprived of basic rights like education and healthcare, because of the river. Locals say they have been demanding the construction of a permanent bridge for many years, but allege that neither the administration nor local representatives have paid attention to their repeated pleas.

 So far, no official response has been received from the local administration on the plight and grievances of the locals.