The growing menace of aquatic weeds was brought home dramatically in the Indian state of West Bengal a few months ago.<br /><br />People crossing a makeshift bamboo bridge over the Rupnarayan River had a narrow escape when a colony of water hyacinth smashed through it.<br /><br />The mishap severed link between Jashar in East Purba Medinipur and Sibara in West Medinipur. <br /><br />The hyacinths, which usually quietly pass underneath, draw onlookers who like to enjoy the sight of the green leaves brushing against the bridge. <br /><br />A video from the spot shows people scampering for their safety after seeing the weeds possibly alerted by the sheer size of the colony and the force of the current. <br /><br />Anita Richards, a disaster management professional, said the mishap underlined the government’s inability to maintain the makeshift bamboo structures, which are commonly found in East India. <br /><br />“Governments have failed to replace traditional bamboo bridges with permanent structures. They do not even do any periodic maintenance on them,” she said. <br /><br />Local residents say governments have also failed to control aquatic weeds which have been growing unchecked, clogging waterways and choking fishing and farming. <br /><br />Though large colonies of aquatic weeds can be spotted floating on Indian rivers, it is the first time any of them have been caught on camera bringing down a bridge and endangering lives.
