The Directorate of Education acknowledged on Thursday that the current monsoon season has intensified the flooding issues. Officials cite a combination of factors, including inadequate drainage systems, proximity to nearby ponds, and the unfortunate low-lying nature of the school buildings as primary contributors to the ongoing crisis.

A notice from the deputy director revealed this debilitating condition has been a recurring problem as 2020, affecting an estimated 14,000 students annually. School staff report that stagnant water, driven by high groundwater levels and uneven road surfaces, has infiltrated both school compounds and classrooms. “The campuses are hazardous… flooded inside and out,” stated one official, who added that operations are suspended indefinitely.

Education activist and lawyer Ashok Agarwal shared compelling video evidence on X (formerly Twitter), showcasing submerged school gates. He indicated that closures commenced on Monday, expressing frustration: “Authorities ignore this every year.” Agarwal highlighted the detrimental impact on learning, noting, “Students are pushed into online classes, but most don’t have the devices or internet needed.”

Parents are expressing deep concern over the disruption. one parent, whose two children attend affected schools, shared their anxiety: “They haven’t been able to go to school for days. Tests are due soon, and with today’s rain, they may have to be online. I’m worried. They need proper preparation for mid-terms.” This annual ordeal substantially impacts student preparation and academic progress.

The situation mirrors experiences from previous years, with residents reporting similar waterlogging for five years. Shaheen, whose son Nadeem is in Class 10, described how water from a nearby lake inundates the area during the monsoon. “Roads and schools get waterlogged, drains don’t work, and snakes have been spotted,” she said. While online classes offer a partial solution, she believes they are less effective than in-person learning.

Even recent infrastructure improvements have failed to alleviate the problem. Residents noted that new constructions in the low-lying area continue to flood, mirroring the issues faced by older structures. The flooding has also extended to parts of Northeast Delhi’s Nand Nagri, impacting daily life with knee-deep water on main streets.

Political recriminations Emerge

Education minister ashish Sood attributed the worsening situation in Nithari to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He questioned the timing of the crisis,stating,”This crisis began in 2020 as AAP concretised a local pond. Who was in power then when students first suffered?” Sood pledged an inquiry into the matter.

The AAP refuted these allegations, pointing to the BJP’s control over various administrative bodies. An AAP spokesperson countered, “BJP’s four-engine government has no interest in working. Under Arvind Kejriwal, not a single case of waterlogging in schools was recorded. Today, under BJP’s watch, even Lutyens’ Delhi is seeing rainwater seep into schools.”

Key Facts: Nithari School Flooding