Over 300 stranded as floodwater enters residential school in Kendrapada

Over 300 students and teachers from a government-run residential school for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have been stranded in floodwaters in Kulasahi village, Kendrapada district, following heavy rains that caused the Brahmani River to overflow. The situation has persisted since Saturday, with no immediate signs of rescue efforts. The school, known as Kulasahi Ashram School, is located in Penthapala gram panchayat within the Pattamundai block. Floodwaters have inundated the ground floor of the school, forcing all residents, students and staff, to take refuge on the first floor. The water level is reported to be around 10 feet deep, creating dangerous conditions for both the occupants and rescuers. The flooding began on Saturday when the Brahmani River swelled beyond its banks, submerging parts of the low-lying village. The school, situated near the riverbank, has faced similar challenges during previous monsoon seasons. Despite warnings, the institution remained operational, with students and staff living in the premises. Block education officer Ajit Barik confirmed that the school has enough provisions, including LPG cylinders for cooking, to sustain the population for up to a week. However, he acknowledged that the strong currents created by the flood have made navigation difficult for boats, complicating rescue operations. District collector Raghuram R Iyer has coordinated with local officials, directing Pattamundai block development officer Sheetal Agarwal and district welfare officer Arabinda Ray to deliver essential supplies such as food, clean drinking water, and other relief items to the affected individuals. Communication lines remain open, with the administration promising continued support. Nevertheless, the situation remains dire, with the stranded group relying heavily on mobile phones to maintain contact with their families and authorities. Teachers and staff members expressed concern over the safety of the children, noting that the overcrowded conditions on the first floor pose risks. One teacher stated that the building is under constant threat from the powerful currents, making movement inside hazardous. A staff member criticized the lack of preventive measures, arguing that the authorities could have relocated the students earlier to avoid the crisis. This sentiment was echoed by parents, who are anxiously awaiting updates. Jayant Mallick from Srirampur described the emotional toll on his family, stating that his son had informed him that all students are tightly packed in rooms, sleeping in close quarters. Local communities have also been impacted by the disaster, with many households facing similar challenges due to the rising water levels. The repeated occurrence of such floods highlights the vulnerability of the region, particularly for institutions located in low-lying areas. While the government has taken steps to address the immediate needs of the stranded, questions remain about long-term preparedness and infrastructure resilience. As the waters continue to rise, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of the students and staff until external assistance can be fully mobilized.