Gurdaspur: Heavy flooding in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district has left nearly 400 students and teachers stranded at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Daburi village. Rising waters entered the campus on Tuesday, submerging large parts of the school building and surrounding area, forcing authorities to launch an urgent rescue effort.
According to officials, the floodwater has risen to several feet, making road access impossible. District Commissioner Dalwinder Jeet Singh confirmed that initial attempts to evacuate the children using buses failed due to severe waterlogging. The administration has since deployed NDRF and Army teams, with plans to use boats to move the stranded students and staff to safety.
School principal Naresh Kumar said all students have been shifted to the first floor of the building, away from immediate danger, while they await rescue. “The situation is under control for now, but evacuation is essential as water levels remain high,” he noted.
The incident has caused anxiety among parents, many of whom have gathered near the school premises. Authorities have assured families that every precaution is being taken and rescue operations are underway.
Meanwhile, in view of the worsening flood situation across Punjab, the state government had already declared holidays in schools beginning August 27. Education officials have now extended the closure order until August 30.
