The Kerala High Court, in a special move, took suo moto cognizance of the severe waterlogging issue at a village school in Alappuzha district and ordered immediate steps to be taken. The matter pertains to SNDP Higher Secondary School, located in Kainakary Grama Panchayat in Kuttanad, which lies below sea level.
In a letter sent by about 200 students, it was mentioned that the school campus has remained submerged since May 29, 2025, after a bund collapsed due to heavy rains. For the past one and a half months, nearly 20 classrooms have remained underwater up to the windowsill. At present, only four rooms — including the library and computer lab — are being used for conducting classes.
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"We have submitted multiple applications to the authorities, but the condition has not improved,"
the students and teachers wrote in the letter.
The bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji took up the matter on Wednesday, July 23, and passed an interim order. The Court directed:
"The District Collector will call for a joint meeting of the concerned officers from the Education department, Agriculture department, representative of the school, to ascertain the factual position and issue necessary directions as the District Collector deems fit and warranted to remedy the situation pointed out by the students."
The Court further stated that the matter will be posted on July 31 (Thursday) for submission of an Action Taken Report.
In oral remarks, the Court also observed:
"Ask the Collector to look into and find out if there are other schools also in the area having similar problem."
Additionally, the Court mentioned:
"Thereafter, the Court may consider taking up the larger issue regarding other schools in the area, if any and for long term solutions."
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The Court also appointed an amicus curiae (friend of court) to assist it in the matter. Furthermore, it directed that the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA) be added as a party respondent, and the District Legal Services Authority was asked to conduct a factual enquiry, update the amicus, and file a formal petition with all necessary prayers.
Case Number: WP(PIL) 87/2025
Case Title: Suo Motu Proceedings Initiated by the High Court v. State of Kerala and Ors.
