In Gokak Taluk, Belagavi, heavy rains have submerged a 50-year-old bridge, cutting off access to Upparatti village and forcing residents to find alternative ways to travel. Villagers have started using a JCB to cross the flooded bridge, including for transporting school students, as the vehicle’s heavy weight allows it to withstand the water’s flow. Despite police restrictions on crossing the submerged structure, this method has gained traction, with photos of children in school uniforms riding the JCB going viral on social media.
The monsoon rains, which have lashed the region for the past four days, have disrupted daily life across Belagavi district. The ditch between Upparatti and Maladinni villages has overflowed, making the bridge impassable. Every year during the rainy season, the bridge submerges, cutting off the villagers from the outside world. Although locals have repeatedly urged authorities to raise the bridge’s height, no action has been taken.
Residents expressed their frustration with the administration, blaming officials for ignoring their long-pending demands. With no repairs in sight, locals say they will continue using the JCB to transport students and villagers if the rains persist.
