SDRF called to rescue children during Gunotsav Day 3 in Karimganj as rain water inundates school

May 14: Karimganj district in Assam went for Gunotsav Round 3 from 11 May to 14 May. As per norms, on the first day, that is, on 11 May, the school did their self- evaluation. From 12 May onwards, External Evaluators started their school visits till 14 May. However, heavy rainfall since 12 May created much hurdles for conducting Gunotsav. At many places, External Evaluators had to reach the schools crossing the waterlogged roads. However, on the last day of Gunotsav, that is, on 14 May, due to incessant rainfall, rain water started to enter in many areas of Karimganj town.

One such incident was reported from No. 654 Vivekananda Vidyaniketan, a lower primary school at Vivekananda Lane in Karimganj. Gunotsav in this school was scheduled on 14 May. The External Evaluator assigned for this school was Mridul Das, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, GC College, Silchar.

As per schedule, the External Evaluator reached the school before 9 AM. The school children and the teachers also arrived on time. In the morning, when they went to the school, rain water started to enter into the street where the school is situated.

However, towards the afternoon, the water level started to increase. Somehow, in a hurried manner the evaluation by the External Evaluator was competed. But things took a serious turn then. Water level kept on rising and the class rooms were too inundated. For the small children, the water level was almost upto their waist. The entire school was filled up with water. Finday no other way, the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) had to be called. SDRF personnel reached the school and rescued the children from there. SDRF also helped the staff of the school in evacuation of the flooded premises.

Later on expressing his view, External Evaluator, Mridul Das said, “Life is full of surprises and sometimes throws you a challenge… Gunotsav duty today in a flooded school in Karimganj, as Gunotsav evaluation was going on water level kept on rising.. SDRF forces had to be called in to rescue the school children.. Evaluation also completed successfully.”