Damaged culvert forces children to cross swollen stream in Chhattisgarh; watch

RAIPUR: A damaged culvert on the Songara–Khadgawan main road in Chhattisgarh’s Surajpur district has forced villagers and schoolchildren to cross a swollen stream on foot, with videos of parents carrying children on their shoulders going viral on social media.According to local residents, the culvert was damaged on May 13, allegedly due to the movement of heavy coal-laden vehicles of coal laden trucks. Since then, commuters, including schoolchildren, have been risking their lives to cross the overflowing waterbody every day.Construction of a temporary low-level crossing (rapta) has been started to restore connectivity. Until then, villagers say they have no option but to brave the stream, raising concerns over the safety of children during the monsoon.