Chhattisgarh teachers wade through swollen rivers to reach remote school

In the Balrampur district of Chhattisgarh, schoolteachers Sandhya Haldar and Karmila Toppo undertake a dangerous daily journey to reach students in the remote Dhaurpur hamlet during the monsoon season.

To reach the school, which becomes isolated after heavy rains, the teachers must park their scooters at Marna and trek three kilometers through rocky, hilly terrain. They must then cross the confluence of the Moran and Iriya rivers. During the rainy season, water levels can rise to waist or stomach height, making the crossing perilous. Karmila Toppo often makes this trek while carrying her nine-month-old daughter.

The teachers noted that while they are often advised to turn back when water levels are too high, they feel a strong responsibility toward their young students. The local administration, including Balrampur Collector Chandan Sanjay Tripathi, became aware of their dedication through news reports.