Bettiah: Rapid erosion along the Gandak river has forced residents of Siswa village in Siswa Mangalpur panchayat under Yogapatti block of West Champaran to dismantle their homes and move to safer locations, while Rajkiya Madhya Vidyalaya Siswania has remained submerged since July 15, leaving hundreds of children without classes for nearly 50 days.With the approach road to the school still under water, teachers have been unable to move furniture, teaching materials and other belongings to safer locations. Prolonged waterlogging has also raised concerns about damage to school property and educational material.Fluctuations in the Gandak’s water level and its strong current have triggered severe erosion in Siswa Mangalpur, Jharalpur and Chaumukha panchayats. Despite ongoing anti-erosion work, the river continues to erode its banks rapidly, officials said.According to the Yogapatti circle office, three govt boats are being operated in the affected panchayats and more than 800 plastic sheets have been distributed among affected families.On the proposed shifting of the school, Yogapatti circle officer Vikram Singh said, “The responsibility for shifting the school lies with the education department. If the DEO submits an application and identifies land free from waterlogging, the circle office will immediately issue an NOC after verification. However, land availability is a major challenge as nearly 90% of the panchayat falls within the riverbed area.”West Champaran district magistrate Tarnjot Singh said, “The three panchayats inside the embankment along the Gandak in Yogapatti are Jharalpur, Chaumukha and Siswa Mangalpur. Erosion in these panchayats is being caused by the Gandak water. Anti-erosion work is also being carried out continuously, but the erosion is taking place at a very rapid pace. As a result, one school had already been washed away before the erosion could be controlled. Now, a house in Siswa Mangalpur panchayat has also been affected by the erosion. The circle officer has been directed to initiate action under the disaster management department’s rules for providing compensation and rehabilitating families affected by the erosion. At the same time, the water resources department (WRD) is continuously carrying out anti-erosion work and efforts are being made to stop or minimise the damage.”Acting headmaster Jagjivan Ram said, “Water entered the school on July 15 and classes have remained suspended since then. Since there is no access route, we have not been able to move the school’s belongings out either. If the administration provides a boat or an alternative site, the materials can be shifted to safety and classes can be started temporarily.”A local resident said, “Despite the availability of govt land, the school has not been provided a permanent plot. The river is barely 100 metres away and could swallow the school at any time. Thirteen kathas of government surplus land is available near Bulai bridge. We have submitted a written application through panchayat representatives requesting that the school be permanently shifted there.”WRD junior engineer Dhirendra Kumar said the situation was being closely monitored.
