Bhadrak: A government-run primary school close to the Mantei river in Basudevpur block here is struggling with multiple problems along with infrastructure constraints.

The school, with classes till V, at Karanjagadia Majhi Sahi village, was established in 2008. Currently, it has 126 students on its rolls with five teachers, including the headmaster. However, it remains inundated for at least four months during the monsoon as water from the river Mantei overflows into the low-lying area where the school is located.

During this period, the students, their parents and the teachers have to wade through more than ankle-deep water to reach school.

The mother of Ranjit Tarei, a student of the school, said: "The area is infested by crocodiles and snakes.

The school is about 60m from the Mantei river bank.. Fear of snakebite and poisonous reptiles keep haunting us"We have been apprising the authorities about the difficulties. But there has been no action," he said.

School headmaster Himanshu Sekhar Katha said: "The grievances of the parents have been communicated to the authorities."

Block education officer Rabindra Narayan Malik said steps would be taken for safety of the school's students.