Watch: Bihar children cross flooded river on makeshift floats to reach school

The Muhane's water level has risen because of floodwater from the Ganga, and villagers have tied a rope to a pontoon used for a floating bridge to move between the two banks.

In Short

• Children attend a government primary school across the river
• Floodwater has raised water levels of Muhane, disrupting local travel
• A video of children using iron pontoon to cross river has gone viral

Schoolchildren in Bihar have been using an iron pontoon tied to a rope to cross the flood-hit Muhane River on their way to school, raising concerns over their safety. A video circulating on social media shows the children using the makeshift crossing with no adult accompanying them.

The children are from Ekdanga panchayat in Barh district and study at a government primary school located across the river.

Floodwater from the Ganga has raised the Muhane River’s water level. Villagers have tied a rope to a large iron float from a temporary bridge and use it to cross the river. The children use it to get to school.

Adarsh Aniket, the school’s teacher-in-charge, said the crossing was risky for the children. He said he had asked parents to accompany them, but many of them leave for work as labourers.

Barh Block Education Officer Amit Kumar said there was also a road route to the school, though it was about two kilometres long. He said parents had been instructed to send their children by the safer route.

The viral footage has raised questions about how the children can get to school safely while the river remains swollen.

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