Watch: Tribal man dies while being carried across flooding stream in Asifabad

A tribal man, Pawar Bikku Naik, died while being carried across a flooding stream in Anarpalli village, Kumram Bheem Asifabad. Locals blame lack of a bridge for the tragedy and urge authorities to build one to prevent future fatalities.

Kumram Bheem Asifabad: A tribal man died while being carried across a flooding stream to reach hospital at Anarpalli village in Kerameri mandal on Friday.

Locals said Pawar Bikku Naik of Janakapur village breathed his last while being carried on the shoulders of his relatives in the middle of the stream, which was in spate following heavy rains in upstream areas. He had been ailing for a few days and was being shifted to the district headquarters hospital.

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Family members, who had accompanied him till the banks, hoped he would recover after treatment and return in a day or two. To their shock, he collapsed midway and passed away before reaching the other side. His body was later shifted back to the village.

Naik’s relatives said his life could have been saved if a bridge existed across the stream. They alleged that official apathy had left the village without this basic facility and urged the administration to take up bridge construction to prevent such tragedies.

Remote Anarpalli and neighbouring villages are cut off whenever the stream swells, leaving residents stranded. People are forced to wade through dangerous currents during medical emergencies as they struggle to reach Asifabad town for healthcare and other needs.