Kerala HC directs officials to fix waterlogging issue in Kuttanad school
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Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Thursday instructed the Alappuzha District Collector and other senior officials to take immediate measures to resolve persistent waterlogging at SNDP Higher Secondary School in Kuttanad.
The division bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji issued the directive while hearing a suo motu PIL based on a letter from the school’s teachers and students about flooding that disrupted classes.
Officials informed the court that the Kuttanad region lies below sea level, and such flooding occurs occasionally. The bench, however, remarked, “Something has to be done. This cannot be taken as a fact of life.”
The court posted the matter for 11 August, when a fresh action-taken report from all concerned departments is expected.
Earlier, on 24 July, the same bench had ordered the District Collector to convene a joint meeting with officials from the Education and Agriculture Departments and representatives of the school to assess the situation and take necessary steps.
The bench also asked the Collector to check whether other schools in the region face similar problems so that the court could consider broader, long-term solutions.
An amicus curiae will be appointed to assist in the matter, and the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA) has been made a respondent. The District Legal Services Authority will conduct a factual enquiry and assist the amicus in filing a detailed petition with necessary prayers.
