Chepang children risk swollen rivers to get to school
Summary
Chepang children in Raksirang risk their lives each monsoon by wading across the swollen Lothar Khola to reach Thakaltar Secondary School in neighbouring Chitwan. Residents say the lack of a permanent bridge disrupts travel, transport, school attendance and emergency access every rainy season.
Key Points
- Around 50 children from Kharkhande and nearby settlements cross the swollen Lothar Khola to attend Thakaltar Secondary School in Chitwan during the monsoon.
- Residents say one or two children have reportedly died almost every year from river sweep incidents, though none have been lost this year so far.
- Without a bridge, vehicle movement, ambulance access and delivery of goods are disrupted for months each rainy season.
- Local leaders say the rural municipality has sought funding from provincial and federal governments, but the bridge project remains unfunded.
