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Education
Students Brave Flooded Badi River to Reach School in Umaria, MP
✍️ Amar Ujala · Madhya Pradesh
🗓 24 Aug 2026, 05:17 PM
👁 3
Around 40 students from Manikpur village are wading through waist‑deep, fast‑flowing waters of the Badi River to attend school in Bilaspur, prompting an education department probe.
Manikpur village, located near Umaria in Madhya Pradesh, has seen about forty school‑going children attempt a hazardous crossing of the Badi River each day. The river, swollen by recent rains, flows at high speed and reaches waist‑deep levels, turning the trek into a life‑threatening ordeal.
The students are forced to take this route because the nearest school in Bilaspur lies on the opposite bank and no safe bridge or alternative path exists. Covering the long distance on foot is impractical, so they risk drowning to avoid missing classes.
The state education department has taken note of the situation and assured authorities that a formal inquiry will be launched. Officials say they will assess the feasibility of constructing a bridge or providing transport to eliminate the dangerous crossing.
Local residents and teachers have appealed for immediate safety measures, warning that any mishap could result in tragic loss of young lives. The department’s response will be closely watched as the community seeks a durable solution.
The students are forced to take this route because the nearest school in Bilaspur lies on the opposite bank and no safe bridge or alternative path exists. Covering the long distance on foot is impractical, so they risk drowning to avoid missing classes.
The state education department has taken note of the situation and assured authorities that a formal inquiry will be launched. Officials say they will assess the feasibility of constructing a bridge or providing transport to eliminate the dangerous crossing.
Local residents and teachers have appealed for immediate safety measures, warning that any mishap could result in tragic loss of young lives. The department’s response will be closely watched as the community seeks a durable solution.