After spending night on roof of flooded Jharkhand school, 162 students rescued using boats, rope

By | June 30, 2025
Jharkhand school flood rescue operation with boats saving stranded students from rooftop

Jamshedpur, Jharkhand – June 29, 2025 — In a tense overnight operation, rescue teams saved 162 children from a flooded school in East Singhbhum. Torrential monsoon rains caused the Gudra river to overflow, trapping students and staff at the Lav Kush Residential School in Pandrasali.

Panic as Waters Rise Overnight

Late on June 28, heavy rain flooded the area around the school. Water entered the building rapidly, leaving students and teachers with little time to react. Around 4 a.m., staff members led all 162 children onto the rooftop to escape the rising water.

One teacher recalled the moment: “We had to act fast. Water came in from all directions, so we rushed the kids upstairs.”

The children waited on the slippery asbestos roof in wet clothes. Fear and cold gripped them through the night.

Swift Rescue by Police and Locals

At 4:30 a.m., teachers contacted the Kowali police. Within 30 minutes, officers, fire brigade personnel, and villagers reached the site. They used boats and ropes to bring every child and staff member to safety.

The rescue ended within an hour. No injuries occurred.

SDO Piyush Sinha, who oversaw the operation, praised the quick response. “Their alertness saved lives. If they had waited any longer, the outcome could have been tragic,” he said.

After the Rescue: School Closed Temporarily

The school, which houses primary-grade boarders, shut down temporarily for inspection. Officials arranged transport for the rescued students. Many children came from Dumaria, Musabani, and nearby blocks.

Parents and guardians reunited with their children later that day.

Officials Launch Investigation

The district administration began a probe into the incident. Officials aim to find out whether the school received early warnings and had flood safety plans.

“This school is in a vulnerable location. We need to assess if better precautions were possible,” an officer said.

Monsoon Hits Other Parts of Jharkhand

East Singhbhum wasn’t the only district affected. Heavy rain flooded several areas in West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan as well. Rivers, including Subarnarekha and Kharkai, swelled beyond safe levels.

Authorities evacuated residents in high-risk zones. They also urged people to stay away from riverbanks.

Several schools remained closed due to weather alerts. Roads in some rural blocks became impassable.

Local Heroes Step In

Villagers played a major role in the rescue. Many helped secure ropes and guided boats through the floodwaters. They also brought food and blankets after the rescue.

“These kids are like our own. We had to help,” said one local farmer.

Experts Call for Better Preparedness

Disaster management experts say this incident should be a wake-up call. They recommend placing schools on higher ground, training staff for emergencies, and building flood-resistant structures.

Environmentalists also blame deforestation and unplanned construction for worsening floods. “Nature is reacting to how we treat the land. Climate change is making things worse,” said a local activist.

Conclusion

The successful rescue of 162 children shows how quick thinking and community teamwork can save lives. But it also exposes weak spots in infrastructure and emergency planning.

As monsoon rains continue in Jharkhand, officials must act fast to improve safety for schools and communities in low-lying areas.