Bettiah: A stretch of the main access road to Chakdahwa, Jhandutola, Bin Toli and Kanhi Tola in Bagaha-2 block of West Champaran has become a major ordeal for nearly 3,000 residents with around five feet of water inundating the route amid fluctuations in the Gandak-Narayani river.Residents are being forced to wade through chest-deep water and strong currents to reach Bherihari and Valmikinagar for treatment, daily needs and essential supplies.Anju Kumari, a Chakdahwa resident, crossed the flooded stretch on Sunday while returning from Bherihari after taking her one-year-old child for treatment.“People have to face the same difficulties throughout the monsoon,” she said.The road passes through the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) forest and remains unpaved despite repeated demands for a permanent road connection. The problem worsens during the monsoon when the Rohua Nala overflows.This is the fourth time this monsoon that the nala has swollen following a rise in the Gandak’s water level, submerging the road between Rohua Tola and Chakdahwa.Chakdahwa resident Suraj Kumar said the villages were surrounded by the Nepal border, the Gandak river and the VTR forest, leaving residents dependent on an unpaved forest road.“The first spell of monsoon rain itself damaged the road at several places. Water has remained accumulated on this route for nearly a month,” he said.Salim Gaddi said poor road and lighting infrastructure had compounded the problem, while the proximity to the VTR also raised fears of wild animals.Bagaha-2 circle officer Wasim Akram said the situation arises when water flow into the Rohua Nala through the forest increases. “The situation returns to normal when the water recedes. However, the administration is keeping a close watch,” he said.
