Injured Woman Crosses Swollen Son River On Cot

An injured woman in Madhya Pradesh's Morena district was carried across the swollen Son River on a cot tied to an inflated tube after a submerged causeway cut off her village from the main road. The incident occurred in Makunda village under Kailaras tehsil, where Kokila Kushwaha had sustained injuries after falling during the night. As her condition worsened, her family decided to take her to Kailaras Hospital for treatment.

However, rising water in the Son River had completely submerged the low-level causeway connecting the village to the main road, leaving no safe passage available. Villagers risked entering the swollen river to take Kokila across, using a makeshift stretcher made from a cot and an inflated tube.

Kokila's son, Bunty Kushwaha, said his mother needed treatment following the fall, but the rising river had blocked their route, forcing the family to use the risky arrangement. The incident highlights the challenges faced by villagers during the monsoon season, when the Son River swells and submerges the causeway.

Villagers said Makunda and nearby areas face similar difficulties whenever the Son River swells during the monsoon. Patients requiring emergency treatment and schoolchildren are among those worst affected. Kokila's grandson, Udal Kushwaha, said children stop attending school once the causeway goes underwater, while residents also struggle to carry out routine activities.

The villagers have renewed their demand for a permanent bridge over the Son River, saying a low-level causeway cannot provide safe connectivity during the rainy season. They questioned why no permanent solution had been implemented despite recurring monsoon disruptions.

The incident is not an isolated one, as villagers claimed they faced the same situation last year, when people were forced to risk their lives crossing the river after the causeway submerged. The lack of a permanent bridge has left the villagers vulnerable to the dangers of the swollen river, and they are calling for urgent action to address the issue.

The situation in Makunda village is a reflection of the broader challenges faced by communities in rural India, where infrastructure is often inadequate and vulnerable to the effects of extreme weather. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for investment in critical infrastructure, such as bridges and roads, to ensure the safety and well-being of rural communities.

In conclusion, the incident in Makunda village highlights the urgent need for a permanent solution to the recurring problem of the submerged causeway. The villagers' demand for a permanent bridge over the Son River is a call to action for the authorities to address the issue and ensure the safety and connectivity of the community.