Flood traps over 300 students and teachers at Kendrapada residential school
More than 300 pupils and staff at a government residential school in Kulasahi village are stranded by floodwater, with rescue still pending.
Since Saturday, floodwaters from the Brahmani river have submerged the ground floor of the 15-year-old Kulasahi Ashram School in Kulasahi village, forcing more than 300 students and teachers to take shelter on the first floor. Block education officer Ajit Barik confirmed the school possesses sufficient LPG cylinders for a week's cooking, yet the swift current has stalled boat-based rescue operations. District collector Raghuram R Iyer directed block development officer Sheetal Agarwal and welfare officer Arabinda Ray to deliver food, drinking water and other relief items.
A teacher voiced worries about the children's safety, and a staff member highlighted the school's recurring water-logging each flood season. Parents, including Jayant Mallick, accused authorities of gross negligence for not evacuating the school before waters rose, and rescue efforts remain delayed.
Why it matters
The story shows how severe flooding can endanger vulnerable students and test local emergency response capabilities.
In this story
