Dramatic Rescue in Katihar as Temporary Bridge Fails During Rain

Dramatic scenes unfolded in the Shivanandpur Panchayat of Katihar as local villagers worked together to save two men from a drowning river. The disaster struck when a temporary ‘Chachari’ bridge, weakened by continuous downpours, snapped and fell into the river. Two individuals traveling on motorbikes were caught on the bridge at the moment of failure and were swept into the confluence of the Mahananda and Kulik rivers. The fast-flowing current threatened to carry them away, but the vigilance of the local community proved to be their salvation.

Using ropes and forming human chains, the villagers managed to reach the victims and bring them back to the riverbank. The bikes were also recovered from the water after significant effort. While the rescue was successful, the aftermath of the collapse has left the local population in a state of distress. This bridge was the only viable path for daily needs, and its destruction has effectively isolated multiple border villages. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the infrastructure deficit in rural Bihar, where people are forced to risk their lives on unstable crossings every single day during the rainy season.