Daijiworld Media Network - Hebri

Hebri, Oct 9: Following a cloudburst on Sunday in the Hebri region, a flash flood washed away the wooden bridge that connected the Mattavu area. The bridge, which had been constructed by local residents at the start of the monsoon season, was a lifeline for the community, and its destruction caused significant disruption to travel between the two regions.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the local residents of Mattavu quickly gathered the next morning to reconstruct the bridge. Using ropes and other materials sourced from the nearby forest, they built a new temporary wooden bridge using areca trees in a matter of just 12 hours. This swift action reconnected the area to the outside world, ensuring that life could return to normal for the villagers.

Mattavu is home to 10-13 indigenous families, who rely on the bridge for daily access to essential services. The temporary bridge has been rebuilt annually for decades by the local community, especially during the monsoon season. Around 50-60 people, including elderly residents, women, and schoolchildren, regularly use this precarious bridge for daily travel to school and work.

Without the bridge, locals face the daunting task of walking 5 kilometres to fetch basic supplies, and for medical emergencies, they must travel 20 kilometres to Hebri or 50 kilometres to Udupi for larger hospitals. Pregnant women and elderly individuals are often carried halfway down muddy paths before being transported by auto-rickshaws.

Residents have long expressed their frustration over the lack of a permanent bridge. Despite promises of government funds for its construction, the issue remains unresolved. Locals have repeatedly raised concerns, only to be met with delays and excuses, often citing wildlife sanctuary regulations as obstacles to the road expansion.

Vasanthi, a resident of Mattavu, emphasized the urgency of building a permanent bridge, explaining how the temporary structure is often rebuilt to ensure children can attend school. "Though it was Dasara vacation, our SSLC students needed to attend special classes on Monday, so we worked together to build the bridge quickly. If a permanent bridge is built, it would finally solve our problem," she said.

The residents of Mattavu, united by necessity, continue to rebuild their lives while hoping the government will take action to end their decades-long struggle for a permanent solution.