School building collapses due to heavy rain, windstorm

Collapsed building of Govt Hr Sec School Damnote.
Collapsed building of Govt Hr Sec School Damnote.

Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, July 16: Building of Government Higher Secondary School Damnote in Tehsil Panchari collapsed due to heavy rain and windstorm even as locals alleged poor quality construction material responsible for the damage.
According to the local Sarpanch, Hans Raj Thakur, the school was upgraded up to 10+2 in the year 2005 but it was still functioning in the old building of Primary and Middle School. The Higher Secondary School had only two rooms for the total students strength of above 450, including 300 girls and 150 boys. However, with the collapse of this two- room school building, the students will now have no option other than to have their classes under open sky,” he said adding that in case of bad weather, there is ought to be an un-official holiday.
The villagers demanded emergent steps like tenting facility for the time being so that students may not face problems in having classes. They also demanded proper sitting arrangement and toilet facility for the students.
The villagers urged the higher authorities to depute a special team for the spot visit and necessary steps to re-construct the school building with adequate infrastructure.