Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Chhattisgarh Teachers Cross Swollen Rivers To Reach Remote Students
Two teachers in Chhattisgarh travel to a remote school during the rainy season.
The village becomes difficult to reach when the rivers rise.
The teachers leave their scooters where the road ends.
Then they walk three kilometres over hills and rocks.
They must also cross the Moran and Iriya rivers.
Sometimes the water is too high, so they have to turn back.
Karmila Toppo carries her nine-month-old daughter during some crossings.
The teachers keep trying because their young students are happy to see them and need their education.
A district official praised their dedication.
Sandhya Haldar and Karmila Toppo travel to Dhaurpur school during monsoon.
They park scooters at Marna and walk three kilometres over rocky, hilly terrain.
The teachers cross the Moran and Iriya rivers, sometimes through waist- to stomach-high water.
Toppo reportedly carries her nine-month-old daughter while making the river crossing.
Balrampur Collector Chandan Sanjay Tripathi praised the teachers after learning about their efforts through news reports.
- Who
- Teachers Sandhya Haldar and Karmila Toppo, along with their students and Balrampur Collector Chandan Sanjay Tripathi.
- What
- The teachers walk three kilometres and cross swollen rivers to reach a remote school during the monsoon.
- When
- Every morning during the monsoon season; Karmila Toppo has reportedly worked at the school since 2014.
- Where
- Dhaurpur hamlet in Wadrafnagar block, Balrampur, Chhattisgarh, beyond the Moran and Iriya rivers.
- Why
- They want to reach their students and provide education despite the area being cut off by heavy rain.
- Teachers
- Sandhya Haldar and Karmila Toppo
- School location
- Dhaurpur hamlet, Wadrafnagar block, Balrampur, Chhattisgarh
- Walking distance
- Three kilometres from Marna
- River crossing
- The Moran and Iriya rivers
- Monsoon challenge
- High water can force the teachers to turn back
- Child carried
- Karmila Toppo reportedly crosses with her nine-month-old daughter
- Official response
- Balrampur Collector Chandan Sanjay Tripathi praised their dedication