Tragedy Strikes Vellarmala: Remembering the Lost School and Its Students

The picturesque double-storied school in Vellarmala near Meppadi, destroyed by a landslide on July 30, now lies in ruins. With 49 children missing, the community is in mourning. Heartbroken teachers, including Headmaster Unnikrishnan, struggle to cope as rescue operations continue amid challenging conditions.

A double-storied school building that once adorned the riverbank in Vellarmala near Meppadi lies in ruins after a devastating landslide struck the area on July 30.

The playground, which once echoed with children's laughter, is now desolate. The neighborhood around the school has been obliterated by the landslide.

The government reports that 49 children from the area, many of whom attended Vellarmala GVHSS, are missing. The school authority is still determining the exact number of its missing students.

Headmaster Unnikrishnan, a dedicated educator for 18 years, and affectionately known as Unni Mash, expressed his grief. ''My colleagues prevent me from going to the school. We were more than just a school; we celebrated every day. Some of our students are now gone,'' he told reporters.

A poignant video song about the school by Unni Mash has gone viral in the wake of the disaster. The emotional bond shared by teachers and students is evident as others recounted their struggles to identify bodies.

Among the victims was Ammukutty, a student rescued from the rubble, but many remain unaccounted for. At the latest count, 210 bodies have been recovered, including 29 children. Rescue efforts continue amid challenging and treacherous conditions.

(With inputs from agencies.)