Thousands trapped after bridge collapses in Roumari

Around 20,000 residents of 11 villages under Kurigram's Roumari upazila have been cut off from the upazila headquarters after a wooden bridge over the Jinjiram river collapsed last week due to the pressure of rising waters.

The 50-metre bridge, constructed with wood and bamboo in the Lalkura area of the upazila in April last year, was the only means of communication for the residents of these remote villages.

With the bridge now collapsed, villagers are left with no choice but to cross the river by boat to access essential services including healthcare, markets, and administrative offices.

"We're now practically trapped in our villages. My child is ill and needs to be taken to hospital. There is no other way than crossing the river on boat at risk of our lives at night," said Shahina Begum, 30, of Lalkura village.

Local farmer Akkel Mia, 60, said, "Even though the bridge was fragile, we could still walk on it. Now, especially after dark, we can't go anywhere."

The bridge was constructed under an initiative of the Upazila Project Implementation Office. However, locals said its condition began to deteriorate just weeks after construction was completed.

"Until the bridge is repaired, we will have to depend on boats. Even some basic tasks like buying food or visiting the doctor will now become an ordeal. We demand construction of a concrete bridge over the river," said Mohor Ali, 50, a grocery shop owner in Lalkura village.

Jadurchar union parishad chairman Sarbesh Ali said the local administration has been informed about the bridge's collapse and the crisis being faced by residents.

Contacted, Uzzal Kumar Halder, Roumari upazila nirbahi officer, said they are working on a plan to rebuild the bridge on an emergency basis.

"Instructions have already been given to the union parishad chairman, and repairs will begin soon to restore connectivity," he added.