Shangla: Residents of the Faizabad area in Shangla district continue to face severe hardships as a bridge destroyed by recent floods has yet to be restored, forcing people to cross a local stream on foot amid freezing temperatures for the past six months.

According to local residents, the absence of the bridge has disrupted daily life, compelling hundreds of people to wade through icy water to meet basic needs. Women and children are the worst affected, as crossing the fast-flowing stream has become both dangerous and physically exhausting, especially during extreme cold.

A local woman shared a distressing account, stating that she slipped and fell into the stream while returning from a hospital visit, becoming completely drenched in freezing water. Other women rushed to assist her but were themselves left shivering and exhausted due to the harsh weather conditions.

The devastating floods had completely washed away the only connecting bridge along with a 300-foot access route, leaving Faizabad and nearby villages virtually cut off. Despite the passage of considerable time, residents say no practical steps have been taken to rebuild this vital infrastructure, leaving more than 100 households struggling with isolation and uncertainty.

The destroyed bridge served as the sole access point for the area. Since its collapse, normal life has been severely disrupted. Elderly residents, patients, women, and particularly school-going children are facing extreme difficulties. Students are forced to take long, unsafe, and hazardous routes to reach their schools, raising serious safety concerns for families.

Locals also reported that transporting patients to hospitals has become a major challenge. In emergency situations, patients must be carried through uneven and risky paths, putting lives at serious risk. The lack of safe access has further affected livelihoods, as residents struggle to transport agricultural produce and bring essential food supplies into the area.

During rainy days, conditions worsen significantly, with temporary paths becoming slippery and streams swelling to dangerous levels. Residents fear that without immediate intervention, a serious accident could occur at any time.

The affected community has strongly urged the district administration and relevant government departments to take immediate action for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the bridge. They warned that continued neglect could further worsen the situation and deepen the suffering of the local population.

Residents have appealed to higher authorities on humanitarian grounds, stressing that the bridge is not merely a convenience but a lifeline directly linked to education, healthcare, and livelihoods, and that any further delay in its restoration is unacceptable.